A 75-year-old man pleaded guilty this week to performing oral sex on a girl younger than 10.

Duane Wesley Vanderyacht, who lived in Deming, accepted a recommended sentence of six months in jail and the rest of his life on probation.

Before his arrest in 2011, Vanderyacht admitted in a written statement he sexually abused the girl "three or four times" almost a decade ago, according to court records. He confessed to molesting the girl when they were alone.

The girl is a teenager now. She reported the abuse to law enforcement in April 2011.

Her mother sued Vanderyacht on her daughter's behalf a few months after the charges came to light. A $150,000 settlement was reached in July. That money will belong to the girl when she turns 18.

In the criminal case, Vanderyacht pleaded guilty Sept. 19 to first-degree rape of a child. He has not officially been sentenced before a judge yet.

According to the sentence recommended by prosecutors:

• If he violates the terms of his probation, his sentence is elevated to a minimum of seven years and nine months in prison, with a maximum sentence of life behind bars.

• He must undergo sex offender treatment for the next three years.

• He can serve his jail time in a work release program or under house arrest.

• He cannot have any contact with the victim.

Vanderyacht had no felony history.

He has owned Deming Tree Farms for 20 years.

Reach CALEB HUTTON at caleb.hutton@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2276.