A Newton Falls man who had been scheduled to go on trial Monday on child pornography and rape charges has entered a plea in the case.

Steven Billock, 39, appeared before a judge in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to 31 counts including rape, attempted rape, pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor, gross sexual imposition, and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material. 

As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped the sexually violent predator specifications handed up in an indictment. Under Ohio law, the predator specification could have meant a life sentence without parole.

The prosecutor's office says the rape conviction alone will mean a 25-year prison sentence for Billock. 

Assistant county prosecutor Gabe Wildman tells 21 News that Billock could face as little as 40 years to life in prison, to as much as sixty years to life in prison.

A date for sentencing has not yet been set.

The charges stem from a search warrant conducted in June of 2023 at a home on Grant Street based on a tip from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children that traced back to the residence.

During the search warrant, the eight-year-old victim was present and was taken into custody by the Trumbull County Children Services Board.

Assistant Prosecutor, Gabe Wildman described this case as one of the worst child pornography cases he's seen.