Former Erie County Democratic chairman Steve Pigeon has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says the 63-year-old is being sentenced in December to one year in prison.

This comes as a jury trial was scheduled to begin in December.

The DA's office says Pigeon subjected a child he knew, younger than 11, to sexual contact.

While Pigeon could have received up to seven years in prison, Flynn says the victim did not want to testify.  

"[The] victim's family, brother, sister [and] other relatives, were going to be witnesses at the trial as well, and the family just didn't want to go through that and I don't blame them,” he said.

Pigeon continues to be released on his own recognizance.

A temporary order of protection issued on behalf of the victim additionally remains in effect.