MAHONING COUNTY Struthers man pleads guilty in girl's rape

Prosecutors are recommending a 25-year prison sentence.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Struthers man said fear for the eternal fate of his soul is what prompted him to admit molesting a little girl.
James Wells, 40, of Seventh Street, pleaded guilty Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to two counts of rape and five counts of gross sexual imposition.
He could be sentenced to between 11 and 45 years in prison. Assistant Prosecutor Dawn Krueger recommended a 25-year sentence in exchange for the guilty pleas. Judge Charles J. Bannon ordered that a background check be done before sentencing.
He said the gross sexual imposition counts are based on allegations of improper touching by Wells. The rape counts are based on allegations that he engaged in some sort of intercourse with the girl.
Krueger said Wells performed oral sex on the victim, who was 8 at the time.
She said the assaults on the girl began in June 2002 and continued through November 2002. The victim, who is related to Wells, asked Wells a question about sex, Krueger said.
"He told her, and then he showed her," Krueger said.
She said Wells admitted the acts to his wife, then to a counselor and eventually to authorities.
Why he plead guilty
Wells said he chose to plead guilty because he wanted to spare his family the trauma of going through a trial, which was scheduled for March 31. He also felt it was important to own up to what he'd done.
"People need to know that they can't do this and it's OK," he said. "It's not OK. It needs to die."
Wells referred to a Bible verse that says "the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God." He said 'the wicked' specifically includes the sexually immoral.
"I fear for my soul," Wells told Judge Bannon. "I don't fear prison. Prison can't harm me. I fear for my soul."
Wells said he sought professional help before he was arrested.
Judge Bannon would not accept the pleas until he was fully satisfied that Wells understood what he was doing and that he was acting of his own free will.
"You've got as a good a lawyer as there is in the state standing there beside you," the judge said, referring to defense attorney John B. Juhasz.
Judge Bannon, who is a retired Mahoning common pleas judge, is serving as a visiting judge by appointment of the Ohio Supreme Court in place of Judge Robert Lisotto, who is on sick leave.
bjackson@vindy.com