A former Michigan middle school band teacher acquitted in 2002 of sexual conduct involving a student has pleaded guilty in a separate case to attempting to engage a minor for prostitution.

The Lansing State Journal reports that 60-year-old Jeffrey Howenstine entered the plea Wednesday in an agreement with prosecutors to drop charges including engaging the services of a minor for prostitution. He faces up to 2½ years in prison when sentenced Feb. 21

The former Lansing teacher was charged last year related to a sex-trafficking ring that also ensnared the area's former prosecutor, Stuart Dunnings III. Dunnings served 10 months in jail after pleading guilty to misconduct and solicitation.

Howenstine was acquitted in 2002 after being charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct for alleged incidents involving a 14-year-old girl.

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Information from: Lansing State Journal, http://www.lansingstatejournal.com