LISBON — An East Liverpool man accused of sexually assaulting a child over a two-year period pleaded guilty Tuesday as part of a plea deal that eliminates a possible life sentence in prison.

Joseph A. Goss, 41, Hollywood Avenue, entered the plea in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court to two amended counts of rape, a first-degree felony, and one count of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, with the age element removed from the rape offenses.

An additional first-degree felony rape charge, a second-degree felony sexual battery charge and an additional third-degree felony gross sexual imposition charge will be dismissed.

Columbiana County Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech, who represented the state along with county Assistant Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones, said he’ll be recommending consecutive terms of 10 years for each rape count and five years for the gross sexual imposition, bringing the total recommended sentence to 25 years.

Sentencing was scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 2.

Beech explained that under the indictment, the rape charges carried age elements due to the victim being 11 to 12 years old at the time of the offenses, meaning those charges carried a possible life sentence. The amended rape counts carry a possible maximum of at least 11 years each.

Beech said he will also recommend a designation for Goss as a Tier III sex offender requiring him to register his address with the sheriff’s office after he’s released from prison.

Defense attorney Joe King advised Judge Scott Washam that he reviewed the plea agreement with his client and he was waiving any decision on the motion to suppress the statements Goss made to Columbiana Police, who investigated the sexual assaults.

Arguments had been heard on the motion last week, with Washam taking everything under advisement. Now there will not be any decision made since it has been waived.

Goss was indicted in July for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct and sexual contact with a child 11 to 12 years old from Jan. 1, 2022 to March 6, 2024 in Columbiana.

Due to the plea, the jury trial that had been set for Monday, Sept. 30, is now cancelled. Goss remains jailed under a $75,000 cash or surety bond.