A judge Tuesday ordered a mental evaluation for a Bar Nunn man accused of forcing children to perform sex acts on him and on each other throughout a five-year period.

Warren Jay Crawford appeared in Natrona County District Court to answer to 35 molestation charges prosecutors have filed against him for acts allegedly committed against eight children from 2004 to 2009.

Public Defender Tim Cotton, who is representing the 39-year-old trucker, began the arraignment by asking that his client be given a competency evaluation before the case moved forward. Cotton told the court Crawford -- who has been incarcerated since his September arrest -- was involuntarily hospitalized on Thursday.

"I ask the court that we suspend this proceeding and have him evaluated," Cotton said.

Judge Thomas Sullins granted the request. The evaluation will be done at Wyoming State Mental Hospital in Evanston.

Attorneys did not talk in court about what led to Crawford's hospitalization.

The charges against Crawford involve allegations dating back to when he was released from prison in 2004 after serving time for molesting an elementary school-aged Casper boy.

The seven girls and one boy he is accused of molesting described to investigators a variety of abuse they claimed sometimes took place with only Crawford, and other times, with other kids. Police believe the acts occurred at several homes in Bar Nunn, Casper and unincorporated Natrona County, as well as in Crawford's pickup and semi truck.

In interviews with detectives, Crawford admitted to molesting children involved in the case, according to an affidavit signed by the lead investigator in the case.

"Crawford stated he was really sorry for what happened and stated he knew he was going to prison (and) probably not going to get out," Detective Tim Doll wrote. "He stated he wanted to get everything out so he did not have to have the kids ever go to court."

Apart from the molestation charges, Crawford, who has been convicted twice for sex crimes, is also charged with failing to register as a sex offender.

Police went to Crawford's last registered address in Bar Nunn in September, but were told he'd left months earlier. He was eventually tracked to Hot Springs, Ark., where he was working for a frozen meat company. Police say he failed to notify authorities in Natrona County and Arkansas about the move.

When contacted by police, Crawford agreed to return to Casper and was arrested.

He faces the possibility of multiple life sentences if convicted on all charges.

Crawford, who was shackled in court Tuesday and wearing street clothes, remains in custody on $500,000 bond.

Reach crime reporter William Browning at (307) 266-0534 or at william.browning@trib.com.