A woman accused of being a secret agent for the Russian government has pleaded guilty.
Maria Butina admitted pleaded to one count of conspiracy in a federal court in Washington, D.C., Thursday as part of a deal with prosecutors, Fox News reported.
Butina was charged in July by U.S. federal prosecutors in a case that could help them gain insight into Russian efforts to meddle in American politics.
A Russian former graduate student at American University in Washington who publicly advocated for gun rights, she was accused of working to infiltrate a powerful gun lobby group, the National Rifle Association, and influence U.S. policy toward Moscow.
The 30-year-old gun rights activist is accused of gathering intelligence on American officials and political organizations. Prosecutors say Butina's work was directed by a former Russian lawmaker.
They say she worked to develop relationships with American politicians through her contacts with the National Rifle Association.
Butina's court appearance comes days after her lawyers and prosecutors filed legal papers asking to change her plea. They said they had "resolved" the case.
Butina's lawyer has argued she is simply a student interested in better U.S.-Russia relations.
This report contains material from The Associated Press.
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