John Mucher - Videotaped himself raping girl - started when she was FOUR

A man facing 39 sex charges, including six counts of rape and downloading child pornography, has pleaded guilty as charged.

John Mucher, 33, of Craig Drive, admitted guilt Monday, Dec. 22, before Butler County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Oney, who promised he would be sentenced to life in prison, according to Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper.

Mucher was arrested in August by Hamilton police and charged with rape and gross sexual imposition after an investigation revealed he videotaped himself having sex with a young girl at least once.

In September, Mucher's attorney, Lawrence Hawkins III, filed a not guilty by reason of insanity motion on behalf of his client. Oney ordered a psychological evaluation and as a result of the evaluation, determined he was sane and competent to stand trial.

Piper stated, "He pleaded guilty as charged to every count in the indictment because we offered no reductions. This is one of the more horrendous cases our office has seen. The nature of the sexual abuse inflicted is not fit for publication. Mucher is the kind of guy that makes you want the death penalty for child sex abusers. It's appropriate for him to spend the rest of his life in prison."

Oney is scheduled to sentence Mucher at noon Feb. 2. When accepting his plea, the judge said Mucher will likely get a life sentence with eligibility for parole after 35 years.

During a preliminary hearing Aug. 28 in Hamilton Municipal Court, Detective Mark Hayes said abuse of the girl began when she was about four and continued until days before Mucher's arrest. A video found shows him performing sex acts with the victim, according to Hayes. It is dated January 2008.

Two computers and discs were taken by detectives from the Mucher residence. Police believed the computer equipment may contain additional child pornography.

The indictment alleged Mucher was downloading images of children performing sex acts. He was charged with 30 counts of pandering sexually-oriented matter involving a minor and two counts of illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance. In addition, he was also charged with one count gross sexual imposition of an act he allegedly performed on the rape victim, according to the prosecution.

Mucher has been housed in the Butler County Jail since his arrest in lieu of a $1 million bond.