43
Man sentenced for attempted rape
Photo
Matthew Shellenberger, left, stands next to his lawyer Mark LaVelle as he waits to be sentenced for attempted rape, gross sexual imposition, kidnapping and robbery. He will spend six years in prison.
YOUNGSTOWN
A Campbell man will spend six years behind bars for attempting to rape a Springfield woman after following her home in 2011.
Matthew Shellenberger, 26, pleaded guilty to charges of attempted rape, gross sexual imposition, robbery, failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer and kidnapping in a plea deal with prosecutors last month. He appeared Wednesday for sentencing on those charges before Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Shellenberger was convicted of attacking a 21-year-old Springfield Township woman as she returned home about 4:40 a.m. after a night out with friends in April 2011.
The woman told officers Shellenberger followed her at a close distance while she was driving south on Interstate 680. The car trailed her to her residence, and when the woman arrived home, she got out and ran to the door, which was locked. As she fumbled with her keys, Shellenberger got of his car and began to perform a sex act.
Reports state Shellenberger told the woman he “just wanted to touch her,” and as the woman tried to get into her house, he reached under her shirt. When she began screaming, Shellenberger covered her mouth. She offered him money to go away, and he accepted the $20 in her purse before fleeing.
The victim appeared for the sentencing hearing with several family members, but chose not to make a statement. She did, however, ask Michael McBride, an assistant county prosecutor, to emphasize how terrifying the ordeal was.
McBride told the court Shellenberger deserves to serve time in prison and is a definite danger to society. He said Shellenberger has past instances of similar behavior.
“What also is a concern are similar incidents, a prior conviction for indecent exposure in Pennsylvania, and there is another incident where he admits this,” McBride added.
Atty. Mark LaVelle, representing Shellenberger, said his client is a young man who someday will be released from prison and needs proper psychiatric treatment before being released back into society. He said Shellenberger’s actions were horrific, but the focus must be on getting him the help he needs.
Sherry Shellenberger, Matthew’s mother, spoke to the court before sentencing and apologized to the victim. She said if her son had come to her for help with his sexual desires she could have helped him find that help.
“He is ashamed. He is not proud of what he has done,” she said.
Shellenberger also apologized to the victim.
“I am ashamed for what I did. I am angry at myself for breaking the law. I will never do it again,” he said. “I am disgusted with myself.”
Judge Evans said Shellenberger’s actions are offensive to society at large. In addition to the prison time, the judge ordered Shellenberger to register as a sex offender every 90 days for the rest of his life.
Shellenberger will receive credit for the 370 days he has spent in the county jail.