Man re-sentenced to six years for sex crimes against young boys

YOUNGSTOWN — Michael Kaufman had once been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the rape of two boys, but, after a decision by the appellate court and a plea agreement with prosecutors, he will be a free man in six years.

Kaufman, 42, of Youngstown, appeared for sentencing today before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Kaufman had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of felonious assault and one count of rape.

This was not the first time Kaufman appeared before Judge Krichbaum. Kaufman had been convicted by a jury in March 2008 of raping the two boys. Judge Krichbaum, at that time, sentenced Kaufman to four life terms in prison for the rapes.

Kaufman appealed the sentence in his jury trial. The 7th District Court of Appeals then ordered new and separate trials, one pertaining to each victim, saying joining the offenses against both victims in the same trial was prejudicial to Kaufman.

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