Man gets 15 years for raping child

ZANESVILLE - A Coshocton man was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for raping an 8-year-old girl.

Tyler Guerin, 22, previously pleaded guilty in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court to rape, a first-degree felony, and two counts of gross sexual imposition, third-degree felonies. He also will be classified as a Tier III sex offender and will have to register every 90 days for the rest of his life.

Of the 15 years he received for the offenses, 11 years are mandatory time.

Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor John Litle argued that Guerin's sentencing should reflect the seriousness of his crimes, and he fought for a sentence of 16 years, just one year more than Guerin ultimately received.

"He deserves a significant period of punishment," Litle said in court.

In a sentencing memorandum from the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office, the state acknowledged that Guerin accepted responsibility for his actions, and by pleading guilty, he spared the victim of the trauma of testifying at trial.

"For that slight mercy, the state is recommending a sentence of 16 years," the memo stated.

Before his sentencing, Guerin apologized, but he did not say to whom or for what.

"I'm just very sorry, sir," he said in front of Common Pleas Judge Mark Fleegle.

Fleele did not follow the state's recommendation and sentenced Guerin to 11 years in prison for the rape charge and two years for each of the gross sexual imposition charges, all to run consecutively, for a total of 15 years in prison.

"The harm you caused is irreparable," Fleegle said. "That child is 8."

In July, the victim's mother noticed that the victim wet the bed, which was unusual, Litle previously said in court. When her mother questioned the victim, the child disclosed the sexual abused by Guerin, officials said. The abuse took place from December 2015 to July 2016.

The victim said Guerin touched her sexually and raped her, Litle said.

The abuse took place in the victim's bedroom, Litle said, and through the investigation, officials found Guerin's DNA on the victim's undergarments.

Prosecutors also applauded the mother's quick reaction to the victim's disclosure, according to the sentencing memo, which allowed the victim to be cared for and an investigation to be conducted.

"Rather than questioning (Guerin) herself, or attempting to address the situation through family, confrontation, or denial, she immediately contact law enforcement and medical personnel for her child," the memo stated.

ksnyder2@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @KL_Snyder