A man originally charged with raping an elderly woman at a nursing home where he worked has pleaded guilty to a lesser crime as part of a plea bargain.

Jacob Mut Bolith, 31, had been charged with first-degree felony rape, second-degree felony forcible sex abuse and lewdness, a class A misdemeanor, in connection with a July 1, 2007 incident at Christus St. Joseph Villa. Prosecutors contend Bolith sexually attacked an 85-year-old woman.

Bolith's case was to go to trial this week, but on Monday he pleaded guilty to the forcible sex abuse charge and, in return, the two other charges were dismissed by 3rd District Judge Robin Reese. Second-degree felonies carry a potential penalty of one-to-15 years in prison.

His sentencing is set for Aug. 4.

Clayton Simms, attorney for Bolith, said his client believed this was a favorable offer because it dismissed the most serious charge of rape. Simms said Bolith plans to formally apologize to the victim at the time of his sentencing, but has already shown considerable remorse.

"He feels very sorry for his actions and took full responsibility for what he has done," Simms said outside of court. "I think it is a good outcome."

"There's a good amount of punishment that probably is going to be meted out against him," Simms said. "It's just unfortunate that that happened."

Bolith is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail on $250,000 bail.

---

E-mail: lindat@desnews.com