While a jury waited in the courtroom, a Marion man pleaded guilty to eight child sex offenses Monday morning and now faces mandatory prison time.

Marion County Prosecutor Jim Slagle recommended a 25 year prison sentence for David Phillips, 41, who pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, three counts of gross sexual imposition, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

The rape charges, each carry mandatory sentences of between three and ten years in prison. Phillips faces a possible prison sentence of between three and 51 years total on all of the charges.

Sentencing will take place at a later date after a pre-sentence investigation and a sex offender evaluation.

The sex offenses were committed by Phillips in the summer of 2007. Phillips was arrested in March following a joint investigation involving Marion County Children Services, the Marion Police Department, and the Prosecutor’s Office.

All of the offenses were committed in Phillips’ home. The victims were three children under the age of thirteen, all of whom were members of Phillips’ extended family.

There was no allegation that Phillips used physical force. The felonious assault charges resulted from Phillips engaging in sexual conduct while carrying a virus which can cause AIDS.

Phillips was scheduled to start a jury trial on the charges. His guilty pleas made the trial unnecessary and the jury was dismissed immediately after Phillips pleaded guilty. None of the victims were present for the plea, but according to Slagle, all were pleased that the case was resolved without them having to testify at trial.

“Those who sexually molest young children must be incarcerated to protect other children from becoming victims. This morning’s guilty pleas mean that Phillips will be locked up for a long time and the victims can begin to put this matter behind them,” Slagle stated.

Phillips remains in custody at the Multi-County Correctional Center, where he has been confined since his arrest.