A Minneapolis man pleaded guilty Friday to three counts of criminal sexual conduct, admitting he drugged the soda pop of three girls at his daughter's sleepover party earlier this summer.

According to the criminal complaint, Ezra Taylor, 39, put crushed-up sleeping pills in drinks served to his daughter and her two young friends. In court, Taylor admitted he carried one of the girls, who was under 13 years old, to another part of the house and molested her.

"This is a good result from a disgusting crime," Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Friday. "Our young victim will be spared from having to testify, and we all hope she can get the treatment she needs to help her cope with this ugly incident. Meanwhile, we will be pushing for the severest possible sentence for Mr. Taylor that the law allows."

Taylor is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 10.

STAFF REPORTS