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Women sentenced to prison for rape
YOUNGSTOWN
A 26-year-old Warren woman is headed to prison for the next three years over sexual activity with a minor girl she befriended in 2012.
Ashley Shubert of Niles Road appeared for sentencing Thursday before Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on one count of rape and two counts of felony gross sexual imposition.
Prosecutors said Shubert befriended the 12-year-old victim after meeting the child through a family acquaintance. Shubert, authorities said, began communicating with the child via Facebook and text messaging claiming to be only 17 years old. Prosecutors said even the child’s parents did not know Shubert’s true age.
At some point in 2012, Shubert and the victim engaged in sexual activity.
Shubert originally had been charged with three counts of rape and three counts of gross sexual imposition with potential lifetime imprisonment specifications. She pleaded to the three charges in a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Atty. Walter Ritchie, representing Shubert, said his client wanted to take full responsibility for her actions.
Dawn Cantalamessa, an assistant county prosecutor, said the plea agreement was reached because of proof issues with certain aspects of the case and to save the victim any further anguish.
“We wanted to save the victim from having to testify at trial,” said Cantalamessa. “Also, with a life specification, we have to prove she was a parent of the victim or authority figure, and there is no proof of that.”
Judge Durkin accepted the agreed-upon sentence and explained to Shubert what her duties will be after her time in prison.
“Given the fact that you have accepted full responsibility, I am going to follow the recommendation in the case and not impose more than that,” he said.
The judge did explain to Shubert that she will be placed on parole for five years after her release from prison and she will be required to register as a sex offender every 90 days for the rest of her life.