A Champaign County man was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison Friday morning in the Common Pleas Court of Judge John M. Solovan II.
Jason Dickerson, 36, of 611 North Russell St., Urbana, was given five years for one count of third degree felony gross sexual imposition, and 20 years for two counts of first degree felony rape, of a child who was less than 13 years of age.
Solovan deemed a prison sentence necessary, as the victim in this case suffered severe physical and emotional abuse.
"I don't think you can fathom the harm you brought on this child," he said, adding that Dickerson's sentence will run consecutive with each other, but he will be given credit for 84 days already served.
The father of the victim spoke on behalf of her and told Dickerson that he will "get what he deserves" in prison.
"My daughter has to live with this - with what you did - for the rest of her life ... I myself have never experienced this, so we'll have to take this one day at a time," he said. "As they say, there are bad people in prison...and I've heard they don't take well to rapists and child molesters."
Dickerson will spend the remainder of his sentence at the Correctional Reception Center, and if and when he gets out, have to register as a Tier 3 sex offender every 90 days for the rest of his life.
John R. Weilbacher, 44, of 5788 Eaglesham Drive in Westerville, received five years of community control sanctions to include 200 hours of community service, 12 months of intensive supervised probation and extensive counseling for one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth degree felony that is punishable to up to 12 months in the penitentiary.
While there is no victim in this case, as it was a decoy in an online chatroom from the Bethesda Police Department, the Judge said, "There is no actual victim, except for the fear that is instilled in the residents of Belmont County and our children."
However, after hearing from both Weilbacher's wife as well as his licensed independent counselor, Solovan said he recognizes the many positive steps he's taken, such as becoming an avid participant in his church as well as counseling, to make sure this doesn't happen again.
"This may seem a littel odd, but I'm very thankful that I was arrested," Weilbacher said. "I've been able to seek help and be truthful about the matter ... and there's a lot of liberty in truth."
In other news, Amanda J. Hudock-Tandal, 22, of 71745 Fairpoint New Athens Road, appeared in court to further discuss the trial that was expected to begin next week for the charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, an incident that occurred in April and took the life of 23-year-old of Mary E. Carroll.
Solovan announced that the trial will be on hold until hearing from the Supreme Court regarding an appeal filed by the defense.
The judge said that pending the Supreme Court's decision on the matter, the Sept. 16 scheduled trial will be continued "generally."
Additionally, a Tiltonsville woman who was charged in March with six counts of the fourth degree felony theft of medicine while working as a registered nurse at the East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry, appeared in the Common Pleas Court to discuss a trial date.
Renee Marie Bayardi, 51, of 511 Virginia St. is accused of stealing the drugs Demerol and Morphine, but told the court that she is currently receiving treatment at the Ohio Board of Nursing Treatment Program.
Solovan requested she go for one visit at Crossroads, so the programs can have some kind of "coordination" with each other.
A trial date is scheduled for Oct. 7.
Matz may be reached at kmatz@timesleaderonline.com
