A former West Valley youth coach pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon to raping and molesting three teenage boys who played on his teams.

Prosecutors are expected to recommend that Randy Sayler, now 46, face a minimum prison sentence of 23 years. A state review board could extend that term up to life.

Sayler's sentencing hearing was tentatively set for July 25 in Yakima County Superior Court. He remains in custody at the county jail.

Sayler's defense attorney, Jeffery Swan of Yakima, declined to comment after the hearing, saying that would be more appropriate after the sentencing.

That's when the victims or others involved in the case are expected to tell the judge about the impact of Sayler's crimes.

About a dozen people sat in the gallery Thursday as Sayler quietly answered routine questions from Judge Ruth Reukauf. A couple of women and a young girl cried as the charges and descriptions of the crimes were read aloud.

The families did not address the court, and Sayler did not speak to them or show much expression as he entered and left the courtroom.

Sayler pleaded guilty to five counts of second-degree child rape, one count of third-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child molestation, one count of third-degree child molestation and one count of voyeurism. He entered an Alford plea to one count of first-degree child molestation, meaning he did not admit guilt but conceded he would likely be convicted at trial.

Prosecutors on Thursday added three counts involving one of the three known victims based on incidents that Sayler admitted took place in Chelan, Spokane and Stevens counties. The original seven counts were based on incidents in Yakima County.

The plea agreement left open the possibility that Sayler could face more changes if new victims come forward in Yakima County.

Until the criminal allegations surfaced, Sayler was an experienced youth coach in the Yakima area with a good reputation among players and families.

According to law enforcement affidavits filed in the case, the three victims were:

* A 13-year-old boy who played for his AAU basketball team. The boy told police Sayler assaulted him four times from May to August 2007.

* A 13-year-old boy who said Sayler molested him about three years ago during a sleepover at his coach's home on South 83rd Avenue. The boy told police that when he woke up to find Sayler touching him, he screamed, and Sayler put his hand over the boy's mouth and said, "Don't say anything or I'll do it again!"

* A 15-year-old boy who told police about five separate incidents over the past several years. They include being molested at Sayler's home and while the basketball team was on the road at tournaments and training camps. Three of the incidents took place while the boy was about 12 years old.

The case was investigated by detectives from the Yakima Police Department and the Yakima County Sheriff's Office.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct erroneous information that appeared in the originally published version. Jeffery Swan's name has been corrected.