A Prattville man accused of sexually assaulting two minors pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Baldwin County courtroom to two counts of assault.

The trial against Ty Foster, 43, had entered its second day when he decided to enter the plea. He was indicted on nine counts of sodomy. Both prosecutors and the defense were pleased with the way the case ended.

"When you consider the range of punishment for nine Class A felonies compared to two Class C felonies, it's 900 years to 20 years," said Chip Cleveland, Foster's defense attorney. "I think we had a good day yesterday (Monday) and put a lot of pressure on the district attorney's case. But Ty took the plea. I think one of the factors was he didn't want to put the children through the trauma of testifying in open court."

The state had planned on putting the alleged victims on the stand as part of its case. The plea also means Foster escapes the convicted sex offender label, which would have followed him the rest of his life, Cleveland said.

The plea possibility was discussed with victims, their family and law enforcement authorities before it was accepted, said District Attorney Randall Houston.

"I am as pleased as I can be under the circumstances," Houston said. "We feel we had a strong case, but there is always the possibility of someone on the jury having reasonable doubt, or the case ending in acquittal. I think the children are pleased. It offers them some closure, and they can get on with their lives."

Foster will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Sibley Reynolds on Nov. 12. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years per charge, Houston said. Foster has no prior felony convictions, the DA said.

Foster was tried in Bay Minette because his name has been associated with the Shannon Paulk case. Paulk, 11, was abducted from her Candlestick Park neighborhood two years ago. Following a high-profile nationwide search, her body was found in a secluded hunting area north of Prattville. No one has been arrested in the case.