DEADWOOD - Ted Klaudt won't face a jury trial in Deadwood next week.

In a plea bargain, the former state legislator admitted Friday that he tried to keep the two teenage girls he was charged with raping from reporting his behavior to authorities.

Klaudt, 49, of Walker, pleaded guilty before 4th Circuit Judge Randall Macy to two counts of tampering with witnesses. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors are dropping eight other counts, including rape and stalking charges.

Klaudt admitted he told one of the girls he would forget about some money she owed him if she did not tell authorities about the fake vaginal exams Klaudt had been performing on her as part of a made-up egg-harvesting scheme.

Klaudt faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each of the two counts when he is sentenced Jan. 10.

A Hughes County jury on Tuesday found Klaudt guilty of four counts of second-degree rape. He faces up to 25 years in prison on each of those counts when he is sentenced at a later date.

He was set to go to trial on the 10 Corson County charges next Tuesday, Nov. 13, in Lawrence County, but Corson County State's Attorney Curtis Hanks and Klaudt's attorney, Tim Rensch, reached the plea agreement Friday.

Macy ruled that Klaudt will be allowed to remain free on bond until his sentencing as long as he obeys all bond conditions.

Some of those conditions are not having contact with the victims in the case and not having Internet access.

Macy also ruled that Klaudt will be allowed to travel to Bismarck, N.D., for medical appointments.

Contact Katie Brown at 394-8318 or katie.brown@rapidcityjournal.com