SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AP) — A military trial has begun for an Air Force technical sergeant who fled Illinois to avoid a

trial on child sexual assault charges.

The (Belleville) News-Democrat reports David Helm pleaded guilty Monday to a desertion charge and not guilty to others before a recess was called at his court martial.

Helm is accused of sexually assaulting a young girl in 2013 and 2014, including at Illinois’ Scott Air Force Base. A woman also was allegedly assaulted.

Helm was declared a fugitive in June after missing his trial. He was later arrested in Nevada and charged with desertion.

Helm also pleaded guilty to the charge of illegally recording the private area of an adult female known to him and not guilty to two charges related to the alleged assault.

Helm is expected to be sentenced Monday evening. The court martial proceedings were in recess as of 5 p.m. Monday.