A 46-year-old Lawrence man pleaded no contest Thursday to one count each of attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child and indecent liberties with a child.

Fred Eugene Patterson III originally was charged with three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and one count of indecent liberties with a child.

The charges stem from incidents in which Patterson was accused of engaging in lewd fondling or touching of two children, now ages 12 and 14, between May 2010 and Feb. 8 of this year. Patterson was arrested in February.

Patterson is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 15 and could face up to 12 years in prison on each count.