MOUNT VERNON — George E. Butler, 41, entered a guilty plea to three counts of rape and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in Knox County Common Pleas Court on Friday.

Butler was indicted in July by a Knox County grand jury on six counts of rape, one count of intimidation and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

The case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecution Unit of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. According to the OAG’s office, the alleged rapes occurred over a nine-year period, some before the victim was 10 years old.

Butler’s bail was set on July 14 at $250,000 and was ordered to have no contact with the victim.

Knox County Common Pleas Judge Otho Eyster ordered a presentence investigation. A date for sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

Rape is a first-degree felony and carries a prison term of three to 10 years and a fine as much as $20,000. Unlawful sexual contact with a minor is a third-degree felony and can result in a prison term of one to five years and a maximum fine of $10,000.