ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A Barnesville man received the maximum sentence of five years in prison Monday for a sexual offense involving a minor.

Late this May, a jury found Roy Eugene Clark II, 40, of Barnesville, guilty of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the third degree occurring June 30, 2018. The victim was a 12-year-old girl known to him. The incident occurred at Clark’s Barnesville residence.

Clark was designated as a tier 2 sex offender. Tier 2 sex offenders must register their address every 180 days for 25 years.

After a two-day trial, the jury deliberated for close to five hours.

A statement from the victim was read into court, describing the lasting emotional and psychological harm and asking that Clark face appropriate consequences.

Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra called the offense serious.

“He carefully orchestrated his plan or scheme to lure his victim,” Vavra said, remarking on electronic messages shown during trial. “It was clear that he was trying to groom her.”

Vavra reviewed Clark’s prior record, noting a previous misdemeanor conviction of unlawful sexual contact with a minor.

“I’m also disturbed in that there appears to be an unhealthy and uncontrollable impulsive attraction to minors,” Vavra said.

Vavra observed in the pre-sentence investigation that in a prior marriage Clark was almost 33 when he married a woman days beyond her 18th birthday.

“I find that disturbing in terms of what we witnessed in this case,” Vavra said. He also said the jury did not find Clark’s testimony credible and that Clark maintains his version of events.

“There’s no showing of genuine remorse or any admission on his part of the realities of what actually took place in this matter,” Vavra said.

Afterward, Belmont County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan said a sexually-related felony of the third degree can carry a maximum sentence of five years rather than three.

“Judge Vavra gave the highest sentence that he could possibly give in this matter, and it was well-deserved,” Belmont County Prosecutor Dan Fry said. Fry added that his office commends the courage of the victim for testifying during the trial, which made the conviction possible.

“People don’t realize how much strength it takes to come to court and answer questions,” Fry said.

Fry also thanked the Harmony House Child Advocacy Center.

“Harmony House does a tremendous job of assisting victims with court appearences and preparation,” Fry said.

“With these youngsters as victims, a lot of times you’re in a position where it’s difficult for them to fully express themselves to what has occurred,” Flanagan said.

Fry also thanked the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives for their investigative work.

“Anytime there are children involved, it’s just such a high priority,” Flanagan said.