A Hillsboro man is facing up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a sex crime the same morning his jury trial was supposed to begin.

Randall Witt, 56, Hillsboro, pled guilty early Monday morning to one count of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony.

A Highland County grand jury handed down the one-count indictment against Witt in April.

A bill of particulars filed by the state alleges Witt engaged in unlawful sexual contact with a juvenile under 13 years old from January 2016 through January 2017.

According to the bill, the juvenile, who was familiar with Witt, approached a family member and told them about the matter, leading law enforcement to conduct an investigation.

The case was set for a jury trial Monday morning, but Witt pled guilty not long before proceedings began.

According to Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins, Witt faces anything from community control sanctions to up to five years in prison.

Court documents show a sentencing hearing has been scheduled to be held Sept. 6 at 9 a.m.

Hillsboro attorneys Lee Koogler and Adam King, who represent Witt, were both surprised when their client decided to plead.

“We were not expecting it,” Koogler told The Times-Gazette. “It caught Adam and I both off guard.”

Gross sexual imposition is a third-degree felony.

Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.