Shane Leonelli and Matthew Gomez, both 18 at the time of the March 12, 2004, videotaping incident, were each charged with second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

This week in Tooele's 3rd District Court, the defendants each pleaded guilty to a reduced count of dealing harmful material to a minor, a third-degree felony.

But as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Judge Randall Skanchy reduced the offenses to class A misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.

The judge also ordered a year of supervised probation, $750 in fines and letters of apology to the victim, who was a softball player from a northern Utah high school.

Gomez's attorney, G. Fred Metos, said the plea agreements allowed the teens to avoid felony convictions and registering as sex offenders. He emphasized that the sex acts were consensual.

"He's a young guy," Metos said of Gomez. "This allows him to put his life in order and get this behind him."

Echoed Deputy Tooele County Attorney Gary Searle, "The boys made a colossal error in judgment. However, it wasn't an error they should pay for for the rest of their lives."

Four minor members of the baseball team who also participated in sex activity with the girl were referred to juvenile court.

The six Tooele students met the girl in a hotel room after 11 p.m., where they filmed themselves fondling her. Later that morning, other teammates were invited to watch the video.

The players were suspended.

- Stephen Hunt