England International and Sunderland winger Adam Johnson pled guilty to one count of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count of grooming on Wednesday, according to the BBC. Johnson is accused of grooming a 15-year-old over the Internet some time between December 2014 and February 2015 and meeting the teenager with the intention of carrying out a sexual act.
Johnson is accused of touching the teenager in a sexual way while knowing that she was under the age of consent, according to the BBC. Johnson addressed his legal team before pleading guilty to both counts, according to the Guardian.
Johnson could face jail time of up to two years and six months for meeting the girl on two occasions without reasonably believing she was over the age of 16, according to the Mirror.
Johnson also pled not guilty to two more serious offences involving intercourse with the same child, in which jail time could reach 14 years if he were to be found guilty, according to the Mirror.
With Johnson's trial set to open on Friday, the presiding judge Jonathan Rose addressed the jury after swearing them in.
"This is a case you may see referred to in the press. Mr Johnson is a professional footballer with Sunderland AFC and you may see something about it in the newspaper. But let me just remind you of the oath and affirmation you have just received. You must try this defendant on the evidence heard in this courtroom, not anything else. That is very important." Rose said according to the Guardian.
The 28-year-old Johnson has earned 12 caps with England and joined his hometown club Sunderland after transfer from Manchester City in 2012 for $14 million U.S..
Suspended by his club last March following his arrest, Johnson's suspension was eventually lifted when bail was extended, according to the Guardian. Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce maintained that Johnson would play for the club while his trial is ongoing, according to the Mirror.
