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Utah man pleads guilty to sexually abusing children. He’ll spend at least 39 years in prison.

(Photo courtesy Tooele County Sheriff's Office) Mark A. Swann

A Grantsville man has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing several children and could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Mark Swan, 48, was charged in connection with six child sexual abuse cases; he pleaded guilty to charges related to three — eight counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child, first-degree felonies; one count of sex abuse of a child, a second-degree felony; and two counts of attempted sex abuse of a child, third-degree felonies.

He was sentenced in 3rd District Court in Tooele to no less than 15 years and up to life in the Utah State Prison, according to court records. Swan won’t be eligible for parole “for at least 39 years,” Tooele County Attorney Scott Broadhead wrote on Facebook.

“These young victims were courageous in telling their stories of abuse and confronting their abuser,” Broadhead posted. “Although it is a relief that Mr. Swan will never be able harm another child, he has left a wide path of destruction in the lives of these children and families. These young victims and their families will continue to need our community’s support.”

Swan was charged on July 22 with 13 felonies that involved two girls, ages 7 and 11, and a 13-year-old autistic boy. Four days later, more victims came forward, including a boy and a girl under the age of 14, and prosecutors added additional charges.

On Aug. 25, Swan “self-mutilated” with a razor that had been “secreted” into his jail cell, according to police. He was treated at a hospital and returned to jail.