LACONIA – A Massachusetts teenager charged with raping a 14-year-old girl in Lake Winnipesaukee has pleaded guilty to a single count of statutory rape and probably will be deported as a result.

Joverlyn Garcia, 18, of Methuen, Mass., accepted a plea offer by prosecutors Monday after a jury had been selected for his trial.

Garcia, had faced two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault and two counts of felonious sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to a single charge of having sex with an underage girl.

He faces three-and-a-half to seven years in prison, but could serve less time if federal authorities move to deport him quickly. Superior Judge Larry Smukler had not set a sentencing date.

Defense attorney Mark Sisti said the threat of deportation was as serious as prison time for Garcia, who has few ties to the Dominican Republic.

"A majority of his family lives here," Sisti said.

Laconia police said the girl reported she had been assaulted in the water at Weirs Beach after Garcia offered to teach her how to swim. She told police she had only met her assailant a few hours earlier.

Garcia had argued the girl was a willing participant. However, the legal age of consent in the state is 16. The girl also denied she had consented.

Belknap County Attorney Jim Carroll said the plea would spare the victim the ordeal of a trial. He also said federal immigration officials assured him the plea deal would lead to Garcia's deportation.