A Jefferson Township man accused of sexually assaulting two girls is claiming he was coerced into making incriminating statements.

Mark Eric Shaffer, 50, of Dreher Road on Tuesday asked Butler County Judge Timothy McCune to suppress statements he reportedly gave to troopers April 13 from use at any possible trial.

Shaffer, represented by defense attorney Mike Zunder, claims he asked for a lawyer while he was being interviewed. But instead, he decided to make incriminating statements after two troopers told him he'd get probation if he cooperated.

Prosecutors are seeking a 20- to 40-year prison sentence for Shaffer, who is charged with 20 counts each of rape, indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual assault.

Assistant District Attorney B.T. Fullerton, who is prosecuting the case, told the judge that the possibility of such a significant prison sentence is the reason Shaffer is now trying to get rid of the alleged confession.

Fullerton urged the judge to view Shaffer's story with a "critical eye."

Shaffer's testimony directly contradicts testimony by Chris Birckbigler, one of the two state troopers who interviewed Shaffer.

Birckbigler denied coercing the defendant in any way.

He said that at one point Shaffer said, "I don't know if this is a good time to ask for representation or not."

But when further questioned, Shaffer reportedly said he'd like to continue with the interview without an attorney because he "wasn't raised like that."

Shaffer later gave an audiotaped statement that already has been played in court.

McCune, following Tuesday's hearing, said he will decide later in writing if the confession can be used by prosecutors at trial.

Already the tape has been played at a preliminary hearing. On the tape, Shaffer said he sexually assaulted two girls, now 8 and 9 years old, and made them watch porn sites of adults having sex. Investigators believe Shaffer started assaulting the older girl in the fall of 2005. He allegedly began molesting the younger early in 2006.

The Butler Eagle is not identifying the girls due to the nature of the charges.

Shaffer, who is free on $50,000 bail pending trial, also faces 20 counts each of corruption of minors, disseminating obscene and other sexual materials, and child endangerment, as well as one count each of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.