ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Michael Runnion was sentenced to spend 35 years to life in prison Tuesday for committing sex acts on three girls, all younger than 13.

Earlier this month, he was convicted of two counts of first-degree felony rape and one count of gross sexual imposition, a felony of the third degree. The crimes occurred in December 2018 while Runnion was staying at a Martins Ferry residence.

Runnion, 31, of Martins Ferry heard his sentence from Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John Vavra, who also presided at the trial. Runnion was designated a Tier 3 sex offender and, if released, will be required to register with his local sheriff’s office for life.

Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan said his office made no recommendation and left sentencing to Vavra’s discretion.

“We feel that the judge was in the best position to determine the appropriate sentence, and that’s exactly what he did with the sentence of 35 to life, which means that before his first parole eligibility date, he will have to serve 35 years in prison,” Flanagan said of Runnion. “Our goal was to ultimately achieve a conviction on all counts, and we got the conviction of all charges.

“By giving the sentence of 15 to life on each count and running them consecutive and adding five years to that for the gross sexual imposition charge, (Vavra) essentially assured that Mr. Runnion would be off the streets for at least 35 years and probably a lot more,” Flanagan said.

The three victims testified during the trial. Jurors also viewed video interviews conducted by the counseling and child advocacy group Harmony House. Flanagan said he hoped the victims and their families found closure with the conclusion of the case.

“They are extremely satisfied with the convictions. They could not have asked for more, but at the end of the day we have three youngsters who have suffered trauma at the hands of Mr. Runnion, and for that they do find solace in the fact that he was significantly punished,” Flanagan said.

Flanagan commended the investigators and interviewers for their work.

“This was a collaborative effort,” he said, “not only with our office, but the Martins Ferry Police Department, the child advocacy group known as Harmony House, and the sex assault nursing examiner from Southeastern Med (health system in Cambridge, Ohio). These cases are difficult. Essentially we are putting children in a position where they go to court and testify as to the most horrific thing that has happened to them in their young lives.”

Vavra noted Runnion’s prior convictions of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, involving teenage girls.

“He’s had convictions. However, given the rules of the court we were not able to get into those convictions during the course of the trial, so the jury was not able to hear any of that evidence,” Flanagan said. “But nevertheless, the jury found that we had presented sufficient evidence to meet our burden.”