MINNEAPOLIS  — The leader of an online prostitution ring known as the “Minnesota Nice Guys” will not receive jail time after pleaded guilty to three felony counts of promoting prostitution.

John St. Marie, 66, a former assistant Hennepin County attorney, entered the plea on Tuesday. St Marie’s attorney, Jim Dahlquist, told the Star Tribune that St. Marie didn’t receive jail time because of health problems.

Dahlquist says St. Marie uses a wheelchair because of childhood polio and can move his neck and a finger on his left hand. He needs health care at all hours.

A county attorney spokesman says the expense to incarcerate St. Marie was a consideration in making a deal. St. Marie will be sentenced Jan. 20 and Dahlquist expects his client will have a lot to say then.