Man given 15 years in prison for raping child

NEWARK - A Newark man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Tuesday after admitting to raping a child.

Jamie Burkett, 31, entered guilty pleas to three counts each of rape and gross sexual imposition before Judge David Branstool on Tuesday morning.

Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Paula Sawyers said between June 2011 and September 2014, Burkett engaged in sexual conduct with two different children under the age of 13.

One of the victims disclosed to police that the abuse by Burkett stopped when he was arrested for an unrelated theft offense in 2014. The abuse was disclosed after Burkett had been released.

Detectives investigating the case had previously investigated Burkett for allegations of touching the second victim, but had been unable to locate Burkett to interview him at the time, Sawyers said.

During Tuesday's hearing, the mother of one of the victims told Burkett the child had been given a "life sentence" by his actions and justice could never be served, regardless of how much prison time Burkett received.

Burkett said he did not understand why he did what he did and said he did not deserve to continue living.

"I hate myself more than you hate me," he told the victim's mother.

Sawyers and Burkett's attorney, Darrin Leist, jointly recommended a 15-year sentence. Burkett had faced a mandatory 15 years to life sentence when indicted, but the rape counts were amended as a result of a plea agreement.

Sawyers said the mothers of both victims agreed to the amendment of the charges and the 15-year sentence, which gave Burkett at least the mandatory time he would have had to serve without the amended charges.

Burkett must serve more than 11 years of his sentence before he is eligible to apply for early release. When he is released from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.