Former Montague County Sheriff Bill Keating admitted in court today that he sexually assaulted a woman last November, after a drug raid. This was a federal charge he pleaded to today. Montague County District Attorney Jack McGaughey says state charges will be filed next month against not just Keating -- But also as many as 12 other former sheriff's personnel and inmates. Keating now has at least three months of freedom -- with some restrictions -- before he'll face a federal judge for sentencing on May first. “People are human – they can mess up,” said Bill Keating, “but you're held to a higher standard - especially when you're elected to an office." Those were the words of former Montague County Sheriff Bill Keating, when then-District Attorney Tim Cole resigned after being arrested for drinking and driving. And now, it's Keating who's admitting that he "messed up" -- and who's being held accountable in federal court. “This case should certainly act as a wakeup call to all individuals who hold positions of public trust,” said Rick Calvert (Assistant U.S. Attorney). “I mean, to say it's unacceptable is light. The fact of the matter is, this is outrageous. “This is probably one of the worst examples of public trust betrayed by a public official,” said Jack McGaughey (Montague County District Attorney). They call Keating's actions "disheartening" -- a letdown for everyone: “As a prosecutor, I work with law enforcement every day,” Calvert said. “And you want to feel like that you're on a team – you want to be able to trust those individuals." They want to make it clear that no one's above the law. “There are consequences,” Calvert said. “And those consequences are going to be harsh." A federal judge will determine just how harsh those consequences are. And Jack McGaughey says he hopes the hundreds of hours of investigative work -- by so many agencies -- will help restore public confidence: “While people, I know, are ashamed in Montague County of what’s happened,” McGaughey said, “they can also be proud of law enforcement, and the fact that people are willing to work so hard to see someone brought to justice." Justice ... after an admitted betrayal of trust. At his hearing today, Keating waived his right to appeal. And since it's a federal charge, he has no chance at parole … his maximum sentence is 10 years in prison and a 250-thousand dollar fine. But we're told the judge will probably take into consideration the fact that by pleading guilty, he saved prosecutors time and money.