Convicted child abuser set to appear in court for sentencing

Nov. 06--After a Cleveland County jury found Daniel Ryan Chadwell guilty on 38 felony counts in connection with the sexual assault of three children, two of which were his stepchildren, he will now be formally sentenced by a judge this week.

On Wednesday, Chadwell is scheduled to appear before Judge Thad Balkman for a sentencing hearing.

The jury that convicted Chadwell in August recommended punishment ranging from 25 to 100 years in prison for each count, totaling more than 3,000 years.

The 5-day trial ended a nearly three-year legal battle, which included a mistrial.

In Sept. 2016, the jury in Chadwell's first trial couldn't unanimously decide on a verdict, which put the case back in the court process. The jury deliberated until about 1 a.m.

According to a Cleveland County probable cause affidavit, at the time of the incidents, Chadwell was married to the mother of two of the victims.

The victim's mother reported to Oklahoma City Police (OCPD) detectives that her daughter told her she had been inappropriately touched by Chadwell.

Forensic interviewers at the Mary Abbott Children's House interviewed the then 11-year-old girl, who was the main victim of Chadwell's assault, as well as the girl's younger brother.

During the interview, Chadwell's former stepchildren told interviewers they had been molested by Chadwell multiple times over the last five years.

They said Chadwell tried to keep the incidents a secret and would call it his "game," the affidavit read.

A third victim, a daughter of family friends, also reported she had been assaulted by Chadwell.

The girl disclosed Chadwell had inappropriately touched her while she stayed the night at Chadwell's for a sleepover.

Chadwell was originally charged in Dec. 2014 with 36 felony counts. However, those charges were later amended to 40 counts of lewd acts with a child under 16.

The following are people scheduled to appear in Cleveland County District Court:

--Nov. 8

A Norman man charged in a 2016 rape is set to appear in court Wednesday for a disposition hearing.

Henry Dean Dye, 39, is set to appear before Judge Thad Balkman. He faces two counts of first-degree rape.

At the hearing, Dye could either enter a plea to the charge, request more time to negotiate a plea, or ask for a trial.

Oklahoma court records show Dye posted $25,000 bond.

--Nov. 9

A man charged with multiple counts of sexual battery is set be formally arraigned this week.

On Thursday, Marshall Mac -- Maurice Essien, 22, of Texas, is set to appear before Judge Michael Tupper.

At his arraignment, Essien will announce whether he plans to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest to the charges. He faces three felony counts of sexual battery.

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