The owner of a Kearney auto dealership has made a deal with prosecutors that could keep him out of federal prison.

Court records say 47-year-old Barton Langenberg has pleaded guilty to defrauding the Internal Revenue Service.

Langenberg owns American Auto Exchange and owns or manages other Kearney properties.

Authorities say he structured some transactions in order to avoid currency-reporting requirements.

In exchange for Langenberg's guilty plea, prosecutors will drop six similar charges when he's sentenced in February.

Court records say prosecutors will recommend three years of probation, which could include six months of house arrest and a $5,000 fine.

The judge is not obliged to follow the plea deal, however.