National Briefing

A former sheriff pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually assaulting a woman, telling her sex was the only way to avoid going to jail for drug possession.

Former Montague County Sheriff Bill Keating, 62, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced in May for the civil rights violation.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert K. Roach did not detain Keating, saying he did not pose a danger to the community and wasn’t a flight risk. But Roach ordered Keating to hand over his weapons and meet other conditions.

Keating refused to comment. He was defeated in a runoff after the March primary election, and the assault took place before his replacement was sworn in.