TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- A former Catholic priest in Tucson has pleaded guilty in a child molestation case dating to the 1980s.

The Rev. Gary E. Underwood admitted engaging in sex acts with three teenage boys in 1983 and 1984 and pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual contact with a minor on Tuesday.

He faces a mandatory prison sentence of nine months to two years on one of the counts. The other five counts have the same sentence, but a judge could decide to have them run consecutively or concurrently.

Underwood, now in his 50s, was serving as a priest at St. Odilia's Catholic Church when the abuse happened.

Seven counts were dismissed under a plea agreement. Had Underwood gone to trial and been convicted, he was facing a life sentence.