Sex offender pleads guilty

The Daily Inter Lake

A man characterized as a violent sex offender pleaded guilty on Tuesday to deviant sexual conduct.

Wilbur E. Rytky's case was unusual because Whitefish police released his photo and profile to the public when he arrived in Whitefish in February 2004.

Although Rytky had then committed no crime in Whitefish, he came from Maine with a daunting history of sex crimes against children that prompted officials to warn day cares, schools and the public about him.

Police Detective Sgt. Roger Bergstrom said people designated as violent sexual offenders are rare in this area.

Rytky, 30, was arrested just three months later when a disabled teenager said Rytky molested him.

On Tuesday, Rytky admitted sexually assaulting the 16-year-old boy while giving him a ride home from work at a fast-food restaurant. He took the boy to a rural local northwest of Whitefish and molested him. The teenager told a teacher, who notified authorities.

District Judge Ted Lympus will sentence Rytky on April 7 for deviant sexual conduct. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

If he is also found to be a persistent felony offender, Rytky's sentence could be increased by up to 100 years.

He is represented by public defender Mark Sullivan. County Attorney Ed Corrigan is prosecuting.