SARANAC LAKE – A Saranac Lake man is expected to spend 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty on Friday to predatory sexual assault of a child.

William J. Strack II, 37, who lived at the Algonquin Apartments at 240 George Lapan Highway, was arrested in October on a dozen sex crime felony charges, including rape, incest and sexual abuse of a child. He remains in custody.

“Strack admitted to committing a course of sexual contact against a child less than 13 years old over a period of approximately four years,” said Franklin County District Attorney Elizabeth Crawford, who prosecuted the case.

He pleaded guilty to predatory sexual assault of a child, a felony, before Judge Craig Carriero in Franklin County Court on Friday. He faces the maximum sentence, which Crawford said was recommended based on the severity of the charges. His sentencing is scheduled for May 15.

“Children are often our most fragile victims. Once the child finds the courage to speak out, it is our job to do all we can to protect and seek justice,” Crawford said in a statement. “These cases are tough, but we witnessed the child find a voice and support. The trauma will never go away, but it won’t define this child either. The child’s voice was heard loud and clear.”

She said she was very proud of the victim and the victim’s family member who reported the crime to the police. She hopes her office has done well by the victim and secured a good outcome.

“This child endured abuse at the hands of this man for many years, and finally became brave enough to talk about it,” Crawford said in a statement.

She said the more the child was able to talk about it, the stronger they became.

“Because this child spoke up, our community will be protected from this child sexual predator forever,” Crawford said in a statement.

She said there are more victims. The plea only involved one child but includes the sentence of 25 years to life in prison — the maximum. She said it’s unlikely he will be getting out.

Crawford said she cannot share the victims’ connection to Strack because she did not want to reveal their identities.

“I can’t do that to these kids,” she said.

Crawford said the prosecution got Strack to understand that the evidence against him was “significant” and that they believe he belongs in prison for the rest of his life for what he did.

“We just want to make sure everybody out there knows that we’re coming for you if you want to do awful things to children,” Crawford said. “We’re not going to look the other way.”

She thanked New York State Police, Saranac Lake Police, Homeland Security Investigations and Franklin County Department of Social Services for their assistance with this case.

Strack was represented by the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office.

He will be eligible for parole in 2051.

Strack has also been indicted on federal charges of eight counts of sexual exploitation of children for producing child sexual abuse material. According to a statement in the case written by a special agent for U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, another family member observed two videos showing Strack engaging in sexual intercourse with two adolescent family members.

Strack was indicted for these charges on Nov. 5. His trial in Albany is set for April 13.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York is prosecuting this case. Strack has been appointed a federal public defender in this case.