IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A former southeast Idaho zookeeper has pleaded guilty to abusing a young zoo volunteer.

The Post Register reports  that 56-year-old Raymond "Joe" Probert on Wednesday in 7th District Court pleaded guilty to sexual battery of a child age 16 or 17 by lewd or lascivious acts.

Police say Probert abused a girl who volunteered with the "Junior Zoo Crew" at Tautphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls.

Probert started working at the zoo in 1996.

He was fired in September after the victim, now in her 20s, came forward.

Probert is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8. He faces up to life in prison.

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