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By InsideHoops.com

Kobe Bryant has officially been charged with sexual assault. Conviction means 4 years to life in prison.

Specifically, the charge is one count of sexual assault - a class 3 felony - amounting to felony rape.

"This did not come easily," said Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert. "This decision came only after reviewing all of the evidence."

When asked to get very specific about the accusation against Kobe, Hurlbert said: "It is alleged he caused sexual penetration or intrusion ... through actual physical force."

Kobe does admit to cheating on his wife. But he absolutely denies the charges against him.

"I am innocent of the charges filed today. I did not assault the woman who is accusing me," Bryant said in a released statement. "I made the mistake of adultery. I have to answer to my wife and my God for my actions that night and I pray that both will forgive me. ... Nothing that happened June 30th was against the will of the woman who now falsely accuses me."

The woman making the accusation is a 19-year-old employee of the La Cordillera Resort & Spa.

Bryant is free on $25,000 bail, and must return to court in Eagle County, Colorado on August 6 for a hearing.

Almost 25 years old, Kobe is married and has a six-month-old daughter.

Friday night, a few hours after it was announced that he was being charged, Kobe held his own press conference, emotionally pointing out that he's innocent of the charges. Vanessa Laine, Kobe's wife, sat by his side, comforting him and looking straight at him for virtually the entire session.

"I'm furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making a mistake of adultery," Bryant said.

"I didn't force her to do anything against her will," Bryant said. "I'm innocent."

"Kobe Bryant will plead not guilty," said Bryant lawyer Pamela Mackey. "We are confident that a fair and impartial jury will find Kobe Bryant innocent."

"I do not believe the charges should have been filed in this case," Mackey said. "The evidence does not support it."

The NBA is keeping out of this, as it is a legal matter beyond their scope. "As with all allegations of a criminal nature, the NBA's policy is to await the outcome of a judicial proceeding before taking any action," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "We do not anticipate making further comments during the pendency of the judicial process."