NEWS

Man sentenced to 15 years for rape of a child

Bethany Bruner
Reporter

NEWARK— A local man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after admitting to having a sexual relationship with a child.

Daniel A. Cheney, 50, of Newark, entered guilty pleas Tuesday to one count each of rape, gross sexual imposition, endangering children, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.

Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Paula Sawyers said between March 2006 and March 2013, when the victim was between the ages of six and 12, Cheney engaged in sexual conduct with the victim.

The conduct continued and escalated after the victim turned 13 and continued until February 2015.

Sawyers said between 2013 and 2015, Cheney paid the victim $20 a week for “the usual” and would pay additional amounts for other acts the victim would perform.

At some point, Cheney also requested the victim pose for photographs in various sexual positions and performing sexual acts. Those photos were located on a camera in Cheney’s possession, Sawyers said.

Detectives with the Licking County Sheriff’s Office conducted a controlled phone call with Cheney and the victim, in which Cheney reportedly asked the victim not to tell anyone because he would go to prison and acknowledged some specific characteristics of his body, which were later confirmed with photographs.

Cheney’s attorney, Kort Gatterdam, said his client had never intended to make the victim testify in a trial.

Cheney did not comment during the hearing.

Judge David Branstool imposed a jointly recommended 15-year prison sentence. At least five of those years are mandatory.

As part of a plea deal, two additional counts of rape and gross sexual imposition, as well as counts of compelling prostitution and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles were dismissed. The remaining count of rape was also amended so it did not carry a potential life sentence.

Sawyers said the deal was made after speaking with the victim’s family and law enforcement. The dismissed charges were repetitive and the charges Cheney admitted to involved all of his reported conduct, she said.

Cheney will be required to register as a Tier III sexual offender, meaning he will have to register his address every 90 days for life.