BETHALTO, Ill. (AP) – A former southwestern Illinois teacher has pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse involving eight victims.

The guilty plea by 28-year-old Jason E. Ehlers of Bethalto came Monday in Madison County Circuit Court.

Ehlers was a teacher in the Triad School District when he was charged in April 2014 with 10 felony counts and four misdemeanors involving assaults that took place at his home from 2011 to 2014.
He faces a potential 35-year prison sentence for five felonies and three misdemeanors as part of a plea bargain.

Police and prosecutors say that no current or former students were among his victims.
Ehlers resigned his teaching job after his arrest. He had previously taught at the Bethalto School District, also in Madison County.