Man to serve 30 years for child rapes

By Peter H. Milliken

The rapist drew maximum consecutive prison sentences.

YOUNGSTOWN — A 42-year-old Austintown man is going to prison for 30 years after he pleaded guilty to raping two female relatives and one male relative, all having been under the age of 10 when the crimes occurred.

Richard W. Stilson Jr., of Westminster Avenue, drew three consecutive 10-year prison terms Wednesday from Judge Timothy E. Franken of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

“The victims suffered serious mental harm. ... I’m only sorry I can’t give you more time,” Judge Franken told Stilson, calling his crimes horrific.

The total sentence was three times longer than the three concurrent 10-year prison terms recommended by Dawn Krueger Cantalamessa, assistant county prosecutor. The available sentencing range was three to 10 years on each count.

In a plea agreement with the prosecution, Stilson pleaded guilty to three rape counts, one for each victim, with the prosecution removing the force specification, which would have called for a mandatory life prison sentence.

The prosecution also agreed to drop three other rape counts and six gross sexual imposition counts in the 12-count indictment. Cantalamessa said she made the agreement to spare the victims the ordeal of testifying in a trial.

The offenses to which Stilson pleaded guilty occurred in 1999 in Youngstown, but Stilson wasn’t indicted until March 2006.

The need for prosecution and defense lawyers to review about 10,000 pages of county Children Services Board documents contributed to the two years it took to resolve the matter, Cantalamessa said.

“I have watched these children struggle to overcome the hurdles that this defendant has laid before them. ... They have grown up in the child welfare system and had their childhood stolen from them,” Patrick S. Carlini, a CSB caseworker, said in a victim impact statement.

The children’s mother asked the judge to impose maximum consecutive sentences.

Stilson’s lawyer, Douglas Taylor, said, however, that Stilson’s employers speak highly of him; he has a minimal prior criminal record; he returned voluntarily from Texas to face the charges; and the pre-sentence investigation rates the risk of his being a repeat offender as zero. Taylor said the sentence will be appealed.

Stilson apologized for his actions, said he hopes the victims’ healing process can begin, and told the judge he has received his General Educational Development certificate while jailed and will continue to work toward self-improvement in prison.

milliken@vindy.com