Updated at 2:26 p.m.

A Jacksonville man will spend more than three decades behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple rape and sex offense charges.

Benjamin Lee O’Hara pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to four counts each of 2nd-degree forcible rape and another sex offense resulting in a sentence of 18 to 37 years in prison, less time served in pre-trial confinement.

Upon release, O’Hara must register for the sex registry and wear a satellite-monitoring ankle bracelet.

O’Hara, 50, of Raccoon Lane in Jacksonville was charged with 16 counts each of 2nd-degree rape, crime against nature and other sex offense charge accused of allegedly raping a handicapped woman over three years, between Jan. 1, 2012, and Nov. 3, 2015.

He was arrested by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office on July 18, 2016 and had been in pre-trial confinement under a $2 million bond.

The trial began Tuesday morning in Onslow County Superior Court after a jury of 10 women and two men were seated before Judge Imelda Pate.

Assistant District Attorney Kaelyn Avery said the state entered into court only eight of the 48 charges because of the “limited capacity (of the woman) to be able to articulate dates and times.”

Avery said the woman’s IQ was 63.

Avery had called several witnesses including the girl’s teachers and child advocate before placing the women on the stand by Tuesday afternoon. When jurors arrived at the courthouse Wednesday morning they were placed in the juror’s room then brought into the courtroom around 11 a.m. when the plea arrangement was entered into the court.

O’Hara was represented by his court-appointed attorney Jacksonville lawyer Stuart Popkin.

Reporter Mike McHugh can be reached at 910-219-8455 or email mike.mchugh@jdnews.com.

__________

A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to raping a handicapped woman.

Benjamin Lee O'Hara, 50, pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of second degree forcible rape and four counts of another sex offense charge.

He was originally charged with 16 counts each of second-degree rape, crime against nature and another sex offense charge.

He was sentenced to 18 years, 3 months to 37 years in prison. Upon release he will be a registered sex offender and subject to satellite monitoring for the rest of his life.

Stay with JDNews.com for more information as it becomes available.