Youngstown man draws 13-year prison sentence for rape

YOUNGSTOWN — A 40-year-old Dogwood Lane man is going to prison for 13 years after he pleaded guilty to raping and kidnapping an adult female acquaintance in Youngstown.

Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence today on Ronnie L. Helms for crimes committed Aug. 21, 2011.

Judge Evans sentenced Helms to 10 years for the rape, plus three consecutive years for the kidnapping.

Because it was agreed to by the prosecution and defense and adopted by the judge, the sentence is cannot be appealed.

Natasha Frenchko, an assistant county prosecutor, said she made the deal to spare the victim the ordeal of testifying in a trial and awaiting the outcome of an appeal, and that the victim approved the plea agreement.

“She can walk away and know that the criminal process of this case is done, and she can go on with her life,” Frenchko said of the victim.

Helms was previously convicted of rape in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in 1993.