Man pleads guilty to rape, sexual battery of juveniles

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Youngstown man pleaded guilty Tuesday to several charges related to his engaging in sexual conduct with three girls.

Arnold Perry, 33, of West Hylda Avenue, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and one count of sexual battery.

Mahoning County prosecutors dropped three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and one count of rape in exchange for the plea.

The incidents occurred between November 2015 and May 2016.

Two of the girls were 14 at the time and one was 12, according to an indictment filed in September 2016.

All three girls became pregnant, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors will ask for 25 years in prison at Perry’s sentencing, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 11 before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of common pleas court.

Atty. Mark Lavelle, who represents Perry, asked for a mental evaluation before sentencing and said his client has not agreed to the prosecution’s recommendation.