A 24-year-old North Platte man charged with having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

Jamie Johnston entered a no contest plea Monday in Lincoln County District Court to a reduced charge of felony child abuse.

Johnston had been charged with 1st degree sexual assault.

Prosecutors say Johnston, then 22, engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with the girl.

The Lincoln County Attorney’s Office became aware of the situation when they were contacted by the girl regarding child support for a baby Johnston fathered in the relationship.  An investigation was launched and Johnston was charged in September.

Lincoln County Attorney Rebecca Harling said the deal was made after the girl contacted her and requested that no charges be brought against Johnston.  She said the felony child abuse charge is what they came up with.

Nebraska State law requires minors to be 16-years-old to legally have consensual sex with a person over the age of 19.

Johnston will be sentenced on February 3rd.