A US citizen pleaded guilty in Thailand Monday to charges of insulting the monarchy, an offense that could be punishable by up to 15 years in prison under Thailand's controversial lese majeste laws.

Speaking to reporters before entering Bangkok's Criminal Court Monday, Thai-born Joe Gordon said that he did not want to fight the case, but that he hoped for help from the American government.

The 55-year-old resident of Colorado was arrested in May while vacationing in Thailand. Gordon is charged with posting material deemed offensive to the royal family on his blog, as well as a link to a translation of a banned book, while he was living in the U.S.