A New Castle man this morning pleaded no contest to sexually assaulting a girl while he was employed by Mars Home for Youth.

Jurors were prepared to hear the case against Jason Andrew Hall, 30, when the defendant entered a last-minute plea with the Butler County District Attorney.

Hall pleaded no-contest to corruption of minors, endangering a child and three counts of institutional sexual assault.

A no-contest plea means that the defendant does not admit committing the crimes, but will not fight the allegations. A no-contest plea is given the same weight as a guilty plea at the time of sentencing.

In exchange for Hall's plea, prosecutors dropped additional charges, which included multiple counts of rape.

Hall's sentence will be determined Oct. 7 by Butler County Judge Tim McCune.

Hall and his attorney John Bongivengo of New Castle declined to comment after the hearing. The victim and representatives of Mars Home also made no statements.

The assaults occurred in May 2008 when Hall worked at the facility and the girl was a resident.

Mars Home on Route 228 has about 45 residents between the ages of 12 and 18 and employs more than 120 staff members.

Hall was no longer employed at the facility.