Schofield Barracks soldier Mark Andrew Heath, 20, yesterday admitted burglarizing female student dormitory rooms and sexually assaulting one student last year at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa campus.

Heath, a married father of two children, faces up to 40 years in prison. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Thalia Murphy said she will seek the maximum penalty because of the "blatantness" of the crimes as well as for the "stealth and planning" that Heath used in committing them out.

Heath will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario July 9.

Heath told police after his arrest last year that he entered a Hale Mokihana dorm room through an unlocked door Aug. 19, intending to use a pair of scissors to cut off the underwear worn by an 18-year-old female student sleeping in the room.

Heath told police the girl woke up and screamed while he was attempting to cut off her underwear. He said he shoved the woman away and fled the building through a fire escape door. Yesterday he pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree sex assault, burglary and unauthorized entry in connection with that incident.

Murphy said the victim, a first-year student from the Mainland, completed her semester of studies and transferred to another university closer to her home.

Heath also admitted to breaking into two rooms at Lokelani dorm on Nov. 25. Each room was occupied by two female students. He admitted stealing items including an iPod and women's underwear, according to police reports.

The crimes created a climate of fear on the campus, Murphy said.

"These girls should have had a right to feel safe in their dorm rooms," she said.

Heath will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Murphy said she will ask the judge to sentence Heath to serve two consecutive 20-year prison terms.