Emerine gets 31-plus years for sex crimes against 2 girls

WARREN

Jonathan R. Emerine, 24, of North Road in Howland, was sentenced to 311⁄2 years to life in prison today after being convicted at trial two weeks ago of rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition involving two girls.

The girls, age 11 and 13, testified during the three-day trial in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court that Emerine groped each one.

The touching became rape when it involved penetration of the younger girl’s privates, said Diane Barber, assistant county prosecutor.

“These crimes will affect both of these girls the rest of their lives, and will affect their relationships the rest of their lives,” Barber told Judge Peter Kontos.

Judge Kontos noted before announcing the sentence that Emerine had been in trouble in the military for his conduct with females when he served in the Army before his offenses against the girls.

The judge added that Emerine’s conduct also had damaged relationships within the families.

Read more about the case in Tuesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.