URBANA, Ill. – A central Illinois teacher accused of molesting students in two counties has pleaded guilty in one of those counties.

Jon White of Villa Grove faces up 56 years in prison when he’s sentenced in April on eight counts of sexual abuse involving second-grade girls at an Urbana school.

Attorneys for the 27-year-old former teacher say their client expects to plead guilty later in the day to similar charges brought by McLean County authorities. White also is accused of molesting two girls when he was a teacher in Normal.

Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz says the victims’ parents are pleased with the plea agreement because it spares their daughters from having to testify.

A jury trial had been scheduled to begin Monday.