Niles man guilty of raping 8-year-old girl

YOUNGSTOWN — A 62-year-old Niles man has pleaded guilty to three counts of raping an 8-year-old Austintown girl last summer and the prosecution is recommending three concurrent 10-year prison terms for him.

Harry Fraley, of Royal Mall Apartments, entered his guilty plea today before Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, who will sentence him at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 24. The potential sentencing range is from three to 30 years in prison.

Under the plea agreement, the prosecution dropped the element of force from the rape charges, thereby removing the possibility of a life prison term, and dropped three counts of gross sexual imposition.

Natasha K. Frenchko, assistant county prosecutor, and Fraley agreed to the 10-year prison term, which will be nonappealable if Judge Durkin adopts it. Fraley was indicted, arrested and jailed last September. Atty. Thomas E. Zena represents Fraley.

A police report said the assaults occurred at the girl’s residence and at Leonard Kirtz School in Austintown. Fraley worked for a private firm as a security guard at the school.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.