COLUMBIANA CO. Rapist to receive sentence April 19

The victim found out her attacker's name through a prescription bottle in his car.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Sentencing is set for April 19 for a man accused in the rape and beating of a Salineville girl earlier this year.
Douglas Davis, 31, of Walnut Ridge, Salineville, pleaded guilty to charges of rape and felonious assault recently before Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
Davis also admitted using a firearm in carrying out the offenses.
The rape charge is a first-degree felony bearing a maximum 10-year jail sentence and a $20,000 fine.
Felonious assault is a second-degree felony bearing an 8-year maximum sentence and a $15,000 fine. The firearm specification can bring an additional three years in prison.
Kidnapping dropped: Davis also was charged with kidnapping, a first-degree felony. But that charge has been dropped as part of a plea deal reached with prosecutors, Davis' lawyer, Atty. Chris Amato of Wellsville, said today.
Prosecutors are recommending that Davis be sentenced to eight years on the rape and seven on the felonious assault, Amato said.
Also recommended is that the sentences run consecutively, meaning 15 years in prison.
Davis also would have to serve an additional three years for the firearm specification, bringing his total to 18 years under the plea agreement, Amato explained. It will be up to the judge whether to accept the sentencing recommendation.
Authorities say Davis, an autoworker, abducted the 16-year-old girl at gunpoint in front of or inside a coin-operated laundry on East Main Street in Salineville.
Davis did not know the girl, and he apparently picked his victim at random, authorities have said.
Struck her: After abducting the girl, Davis drove her to a secluded spot in the village and raped her. After the sexual assault, he also struck her on the head with a rock, authorities said.
The girl was later treated at East Liverpool City Hospital.
The offenses occurred Jan. 20.
Police were aided in tracking Davis down by the girl's description of him and the fact that she saw a name on a prescription medication bottle that was inside the vehicle her attacker drove.
Davis remains in jail on $500,000 bond.