John Westlake, 41, of Tooele, pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of sex abuse of a child, a second-degree felony, for abusing the 12-year-old daughter of his live-in girlfriend.

The prosecution is planning to recommend Westlake serve two to 30 years in the Utah State Prison, according to Deputy County Attorney Gary Searle.

According to a police report, Westlake had lived with the 12-year-old girl and her mother for several months, and began abusing the girl on a fishing trip in August.

The victim, who was interviewed at the Children's Justice Center, told investigators three more incidents took place away from their Tooele home, and in the basement of the home.

Westlake reportedly told the young girl that if she told anyone about the abuse he would kill her dog or himself.

Westlake's arrest came only after he offered another girl -- a neighbor's 7-year-old daughter -- money for her to perform a sexual act, according to the police report. She refused and told her parents, who called the police.

Westlake was arrested Oct. 22 in Tooele.

If the second victim hadn't come forward, the first victim's case may not have come to light, investigators said.

Westlake was booked into the Tooele County Detention Center on Saturday. He will be sentenced Jan. 15, 2008, after a pre-sentence report is prepared for the judge.