A 61-year-old North Whidbey man pleaded guilty in Island County Superior Court Monday to four charges stemming from child molestation, firearm possession and drug-related charges.

Prosecutors initially charged John Cowan in Island County Superior Court Jan. 7 with four counts of child molestation in the first degree, one count of communication with a minor for immoral purposes, one count of possession with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree.

The plea bargain included two counts of child molestation in the first degree, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, and one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture or deliver with a 36-month firearm enhancement.

Cowan faces a minimum sentence of 120 months in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The investigation into Cowan was a joint venture by the Island County Sheriff’s Office and Oak Harbor Police. It culminated in a highly visible raid of Cowan’s home in the Rolling Hills development south of Oak Harbor Feb. 2. Investigators had Cowan under surveillance and pulled his truck over at Highway 20 and Boon Road.

Sgt. Tim Sterkel, the Oak Harbor Police drug enforcement officer, wrote in his report that a confidential informant purchased meth from Cowan. Based on the purchase, the detectives obtained a search warrant of Cowan’s Paul Avenue home.

In a separate part of the investigation, Detective Sue Quandt with the Island County Sheriff’s Office looked into allegations that Cowan sexually molested an Oak Harbor girl multiple times when she was 9 and 10 years old, court records state.

According to court documents, Cowan was previously arrested for molesting a 9-year-old girl in Salt Lake City in 1984. His criminal history includes convictions for forcible sexual abuse in the second degree and three drug-related offenses in Utah, Quandt wrote.

Cowan made Seattle TV news in February after he didn’t show up for a court date. He was wanted on a $500,000 warrant, but police found him in Anacortes shortly afterward.

“The state has consulted with the victim, the victim’s family, as well as law enforcement in this case. All are in support of allowing the amended information to be filed,” said Eric Ohme, Island County deputy prosecutor.

Ohme said the Department of Corrections requires 60 days to prepare a pre-sentence report and proposed an Aug. 15 sentencing date.