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Austintown man to be sentenced for rape
YOUNGSTOWN
An Austintown man scheduled for trial this week entered into a plea agreement on child-rape charges that could land him in prison for 80 years.
David T. Adams, 38, of New Road and Alabama, had been charged and indicted on eight counts of felony rape in November 2009. He was scheduled for trial Monday before Judge John Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court but entered a plea agreement immediately before the trial was to begin that day.
Meghan Brundege, an assistant county prosecutor, said Adams engaged in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl with whom he had close contact and access. She said the girl went to her mother and told her about the activity. The mother contacted police and children services.
“This was over a period of time involving a minor child beginning July 2007 with several instances ending in August 2009,” she said.
Adams pleaded as charged earlier this week to the eight counts of rape. He faces a maximum sentenced of 10 years on each of the eight counts of rape for a potential 80 years in prison.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, however, prosecutors will recommend a combined 15-year prison sentence for Adams. Judge Durkin, at the time of sentencing Dec. 2, does not have to follow that recommendation, however.
Adams also will be required to register with the sheriff’s department as a sex offender every 90 days for the rest of his life after he is released from prison. He also is forbidden from contacting the victim in the case.
Natasha Frenchko, an assistant county prosecutor, said the prosecutor’s office was confident in entering into the plea agreement because none of the charges was amended or dismissed. She added the victim’s family was made aware of the plea agreement and approved of the terms.