LANSING - A co-owner of popular local restaurant Jersey Giant Subs admitted in court today that he sexually assaulted a teenager and produced child pornography.

Matthew Garrett Slocum, 50, pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and producing child pornography.

At a hearing in Ingham County Circuit Court, Slocum admitted using his finger to penetrate the vagina of a teenage girl younger than 18. He also admitted taking a nude picture of the girl with a cell phone.

More: Feds want Facebook records in Holt bomb case

In exchange for pleading guilty, prosecutors agreed to drop two additional charges of criminal sexual conduct, one charge of producing child pornography and three charges of gross indecency.

Prosecutors also agreed to ask for a minimum sentence of 10 ½ years in prison. Slocum had faced a term of up to life in prison. A sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 1.

Slocum's trial had been scheduled to begin Monday.

The first Jersey Giant Subs was opened in 1979 in East Lansing by Slocum's father, who later passed ownership of the popular chain to other family members.

State records list Slocum as the resident agent for one Lansing location, at 2546 East Jolly Road.

In 2012, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported Slocum owned three Jersey Giant Sub restaurant franchises across the chain. Other media reports indicate he opened additional locations in Saranac and Howell Township in 2014.

A Jersey Giant Subs spokesperson could not immediately be reached.

The privately-held company's website states there are 11 locations in the Lansing area, with 25 overall.

More:Charlotte man sentenced for sex assault, teen parties

More:'Evil' man sentenced for rape, imprisonment, strangulation

Contact Christopher Haxel at 517-377-1261 or chaxel@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisHaxel.