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Former Eagle High coach pleads guilty to sex with student

Prosecutors described a "lengthy" sexual relationship between Jeff Ranstrom and the teenage girl.

BOISE, Idaho — A former basketball coach and teacher at Eagle High School admitted to having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl Tuesday morning as part of a plea deal. 

Prosecutors dropped charges of rape, sexual battery on a child, sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of burglary after 32-year-old Jeff Ranstrom pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery on a child. 

RELATED: Prosecutor: Former Eagle teacher had 'lengthy' sexual relationship with student

Investigators say Ranstrom began targeting the girl when she was a freshman, and had sex with her more than 100 times. According to Prosecutor John Dinger, the illegal contact happened in his classroom at Eagle High, at Ranstrom's home, in a trailer for his lawn care business, and at the girl's parents' home, including on one occasion when the parents were home, but asleep. 

Ranstrom was arrested in early October after confessing the relationship to his lawyer, then turning himself in to law enforcement. He had resigned from his job at Eagle High a week earlier, according to the West Ada School District.

RELATED: Former Eagle basketball coach charged with rape, sexual battery of a child

The former coach has been held in the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond since his arrest. 

Ranstrom's sentencing is set for Jan. 28. Sexual battery of a child carries a sentence of up to life in prison. 

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