Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Girls

A Wilton, Maine, man has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two girls younger than age 16.

Peter Essman pleaded guilty Wednesday in Franklin County Superior Court to felony unlawful sexual contact and misdemeanor unlawful sexual touching. The state dismissed two identical charges in a plea agreement.

Prosecutors say the abuse occurred between Feb. 1, 2011, and Feb. 1, 2012 when Essman touched the girls inappropriately under the guise of giving them back rubs.

The Sun Journal reports that the 65-year-old Essman is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 26.

Under a plea deal, he faces a recommended sentence of four years in jail with one year to serve and four years of probation. Essman's lawyer says he may seek less jail time because of his client's health issues.