ST. LOUIS >> A former Washington University official pleaded guilty Monday to a federal child pornography charge and could face up to 20 years in prison for the crime.

Justin X. Carroll, a former dean of students and interim athletic director during his 36 years at the university, pleaded guilty to access with intent to view child pornography before U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel. Carroll was indicted in January.

Federal agents tracking a group of people sharing child pornography online identified Carroll as one of the participants by tracing internet protocol addresses to computers at Washington University and Carroll’s home in University City, prosecutors have said. The indictment covers activity between November 2015 and December 2016.

He admitted viewing more than 15 pornographic videos of children and more than 600 images of children engaged in sex acts.

The indictment lists an alias of “MOperv” for Carroll, and says that he was caught with videos that featured prepubescent boys.

Carroll, 67, appeared in court Monday with his lawyer, Paul D’Agrosa, who declined to comment after the hearing.

Washington University officials said in January that Carroll was retiring for personal reasons. A spokeswoman said Monday that Carroll was placed on leave Jan. 5 and retired from the university Feb. 1.

In addition to a possible 20-year sentence, he could be ordered to pay up to $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Oct. 26.