ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Jay Greenwood offered no apology Thursday when he heard his sentence of 10 years for two counts of sexual battery.

The charges reflect crimes that took place in the 1990s and early 2000s against three females, each of whom was younger than 13 at the time. He was designated a Tier 3 sex offender.

Greenwood, 61, of Lafferty, had been a longtime Belmont County employee with the Building and Grounds Department. His employment was terminated Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to amended charges of sexual battery on Tuesday. The plea came after a four-day trial on rape and gross sexual imposition charges. Greenwood took the stand on Sept. 22 and testified to his innocence. He was unable to return to court Sept. 23 for cross examination and closing arguments. At the time the trial was continued due to a “medical emergency.” In court Thursday, it was revealed that the emergency was the result of Greenwood attempting to commit suicide.

Prior to sentencing, defense attorney Joseph Vavra asked that Greenwood’s age and prior clean record be considered and asked for less than the maximum sentence.

“Age is not a defense to a felony. Participation in the community is not a defense for a felony,” said Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato.

Greenwood apologized for missing his Friday court date.

Fregiato said Greenwood had an utter lack of regard for his victims, adding that his lack of remorse persisted after the crimes and into the trial.

“It is extremely distasteful that the two pleas came only after the defendant sexually abused three females, all three being minors at the time of the abuse. The pleas came only after (the victims) had to go through hell in their testimony, reliving those events and being subjected to cross-examination. The pleas came only after you and your wife treated the victims as liars. You both portrayed them or attempted to portray them as liars, which they were not. They were helpless, distressed victims. The pleas came only after you instead apparently committed perjury in this courtroom late Thursday afternoon. The pleas came only after you apparently attempted suicide last Friday morning to get out of cross-examination by the state of Ohio — all of this occurring in the context of absolutely zero remorse for the three victims.”

Belmont County Chief Deputy James Zusack declined to give further details concerning the suicide attempt and the other events that occurred Friday. Two ambulances and several law enforcement officers responded to the Greenwoods’ residence after Greenwood failed to appear in court.

Fregiato went on to impose the maximum sentence of five years on each count of sexual battery. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Fregiato said Greenwood continues to pose a danger to the public.

“Specifically, bluntly, young girls,” Fregiato said. “This court finds that the defendant poses a great risk of committing future sexual crimes, when combined with his minimal expression of remorse, actually his non-existent expression of remorse.”

He added that these crimes will not go unpunished.

“Children in Belmont County, Ohio, will indeed be protected from sexual predators,” he said. “Quite frankly, I would have given this defendant more than a decade if the law would permit me to do so, after hearing the testimony over the course of one week.”

Sex offender treatment programs and counseling were also ordered.

“The crimes in this matter were absolutely horrendous,” the judge said.

Harmony House Child Advocacy Center conducted a forensic interview of the youngest victim prior to the trial. Harmony House Director Leslie Vassilaros noted the importance of resolution for the victims.

“That’s an important part to begin their healing,” she said, adding that cases involving the abuse of a child’s trust are particularly painful. She said both the trial and Greenwood’s apparent suicide attempt would add to their trauma. “The victims still have feelings for the person.”

She thanked the victims for speaking up.

“Harmony House recognizes the strength it takes for victims to come forward and break the silence, and these victims did that, and we hope today brings them resolution so they can start their journey to healing,” she said. “They held up during it all. They showed their strength. They showed their resolve to get through this.”

She also spoke about the importance of victims coming forward.

“They need to know that they can come forward,” she added. “And this shows it doesn’t matter how much time (passes after the crimes), you can still come forth. We encourage them to call, reach out, get help.”