The team doctor accused of molesting scores of young athletes while working with the United States gymnastics team and Michigan State University pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual assault on Wednesday in Ingham County (Mich.) Circuit Court. He is expected to face at least 25 years in prison.

Dr. Lawrence G. Nassar, 54, was charged with the molestation of seven girls, most of whom were gymnasts, but he has been accused of various levels of inappropriate or abusive sexual behavior by a group of more than 130 women and girls, including the Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 12. The victims will have an opportunity to speak.

In a brief statement on Wednesday, Dr. Nassar said he made the plea “to move the community forward and stop the hurting.”

“I pray every day for forgiveness,” he said.

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina responded: “You used your position of trust in the most vile way: to abuse children. I agree that now is a time of healing, but it may take them a lifetime of healing while you spend your life behind bars thinking of what you did by taking away their childhood.”