ST. CLAIRSVILLE Charles Michael Ringer, 33, 4685 Home Place Circle, Myrtle Beach, was given a life sentence for rape of a child, a felony of the first degree occurring March 1, 2008.
He was sentenced during Monday morning's session of felony cases at Belmont County Common Pleas Court. Judge Jennifer Sargus presided.
Ringer's defense attorney asked Sargus to consider the results of Ringer's competence evaluation, his cooperation and remorse, and noted that Ringer himself had been a victim of abuse.
Prosecutor Chris Berhalter said the state found a life sentence appropriate in view of the seriousness of the crime.
The victim's mother spoke about the lasting effects the crime has had on her child. She forgave Ringer but asked that the maximum sentence be applied in the interest of protecting other children.
Ringer will be eligible for release in 15 years. He will be classified a Tier Three offender.
"The seriousness of this offense could not be greater," Sargus said.
Numerous other pleas were heard and sentences handed down.
Alan Ray Wolford Sr., 724 N. Chestnut St., Barnesville, was sentenced on one count of possession of sexually oriented material involving a minor, a felony of the fourth degree occurring June 3, 2010. He e was given 90 days in jail as part of a suspended one-year sentence. He was given two years' probation and forbidden access to a computer during that time.
Defense asked Sargus to consider Wolford's age and health issues.
Barbara Jo Barcus, 54, 519 Huron St., Wheeling, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree occurring Aug. 25, 2011. Counsel had recommended a concurrent sentence with one she is currently serving. Sentencing was set for July 16.
Robert Daymond Burgy, 21, 4214 Harrison St., Bellaire, saw the termination of his community controls and was sentenced to a sanction of three months. He was convicted of theft, a felony of the fifth degree occurring Feb. 6, 2010.
Janie Leishman, 49, 44131 Oco St., Holloway, was sentenced on one count of patient abuse/neglect, a felony of the fourth degree occurring Aug. 1, 2011. She was given a one-year suspended sentence, three years of community control sanctions, and drug and alcohol treatment was ordered.
Richard Allen Smith, 59, 709 Seabright Avenue, Martins Ferry, pleaded guilty to trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fifth degree occurring Aug. 22, 2011. He will be sentenced July 30.
Mark Joseph Trabert, 42, 281 Charleston St., Cadiz, pleaded no contest to receiving a stolen license plate, a felony of the fifth degree occurring March 1, 2012. He will be sentenced July 30.
William Lee Fleming, 29, 1475 Belmont St., Bellaire, pleaded guilty to burglary, a felony of the second degree occurring Sept, 26, 2011, and receiving stolen property, a felony of the fifth degree occurring March 4, 2012. He faces a maximum of nine years. Sentencing was set for July 30.
Robert Sydney Lekanudos, 23, incarcerated, asked to be removed from drug court and sentenced. He is facing one year for a felony of the fifth degree and two years for a felony of the fourth degree, likely to be served concurrently. He was given credit for time served, two years of community controls and six months at EOCC. He had originally been charged with trafficking in drugs, a felony of the fourth degree occurring Nov. 5, 2010.
DeFrank can be reached at rdefrank@timesleaderonline.com
