NEW PHILADELPHIA — Jared D. McNutt, 19, will spend at least eight years in prison for having sex with a 12-year-old.
In a sentencing hearing Friday, Judge Michael Ernest of Tuscarawas County Common Pleas said alcohol was used — sometimes to excess — in the commission of the crimes, but McNutt did not use or threaten to use violence. He said McNutt met the victim online.
The Adult Parole Authority has the option to extend McNutt’s jail term for up to four years based on his behavior.
More: Jared D. McNutt, 19, pleads guilty to two rape charges
McNutt, of New Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and one each of aggravated sexual imposition and dissemination of things harmful to young people.
The victim suffered psychological harm and made statements about possible self-harm after the crimes came to the attention of law enforcement, Ernest said.
“I’m sorry for what I’ve done,” McNutt said in court.
He will be released on parole for five years after his release from prison. As a Tier Three sex offender, McNutt must register his address with the local sheriff every 90 days for the rest of his life.
The judge gave him credit for his jail time for 102 days already spent in the county jail.
Ernest ordered McNutt to have no contact with the victim while he was in prison.
The possible penalty for each rape was three to 11 years in prison and a $20,500 fine.
The verdict followed the recommendation of Assistant County Attorney Kristine Beard.
As part of a plea deal concluded on May 17, the rape charges were changed to rule out the possibility of a life sentence, Beard said. According to the original indictment, the victim was under 13 years old. The latest charge stated that she was 13 years of age or older.
Defense attorney Kelly Murray of Canton asked the judge to sentence McNutt on the low end because of his age and disability. She did not specify the nature of the disability, but referred to material in background reports from the Community Corrections Program and Melymbrosia Associates of Canton, which provides counseling for sex offenders.
McNutt has no criminal record as a juvenile or adult.
Ernest told him that the decisions he made were “wrecking havoc” on his life, his family’s and, most importantly, his victim’s.
He said McNutt could go to jail with resentment and anger, “but at the end of the day you’re going to have to accept what you’ve done here as completely inappropriate and wrong, and from there on you’ll move on. I’m a young man .”
He advised the defendant to keep in mind and use the positive qualities that other people have seen in him
“I want you to try to get rid of this,” Ernest said. “Society needs you to recover from this.”
The victim was not present at the sentencing. Victim attorney Krista Nutter said the victim’s mother agreed to the amendment that led the prosecutor to recommend a prison term of eight to 12 years.
Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or [email protected].
On Twitter: @nmolnarTR
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: New Philadelphia man, 19, gets 8-12 years in prison for sex with child
