ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A Bellaire man received the maximum sentence Monday for rape and gross sexual imposition committed against two girls who were both younger than 16 at the time.

John David West, 33, of 64591 Patterson Hill Road will spend 11-16 1/2 years behind bars after Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra handed down his sentence for the rape charges. West was designated a Tier 3 sexual offender, requiring him to report his address quarterly to the sheriff of his county of residence for the remainder of his life after he is released.

West had made an Alford plea to first-degree rape and third-degree gross sexual imposition, offenses dating from 2014. An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt, but the defendant acknowledges there is sufficient evidence for a conviction.

He was also sentenced to five years for gross sexual imposition, to be served concurrently.

Vavra noted West’s lack of remorse and that a relationship with the victims facilitated the crime.

“Judge Vavra gave the maximum sentence, which obviously we applaud, and it was warranted in this case,” Belmont County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan said.

Flanagan said the offenses happened in the Bellaire area in the eastern part of the county. He noted that the investigation began when the rape victim came forward.

“The rape occured recently, and then that investigation led to another victim who had been previously touched by him,” Flanagan said. “The investigation indicated another victim.”