Man sentenced to seven years for abusing young girls

Sept. 21--JEFFERSON -- A Jefferson man was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty earlier this year to two counts of gross sexual imposition involving two girls under the age of seven.

William M. Sweeney, 30, of 2702 Route 46, was originally indicted on four counts of rape in June 2017. A stipulated sentence was agreed to by all parties leading to the guilty pleas for two counts of gross sexual imposition, said Ashtabula County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Harris who finalized the sentence in court.

"We had spoken with the victims' families before we accepted any plea," said Ashtabula County Prosecutor Nicholas Iarocci. He said the case was handled by assistant prosecutors Cecilia Cooper and Alexandria Heinonen, who was in the courtroom for the sentencing.

The incidents occurred where Sweeney was living between May 2015 and May 2016, according to the original indictment.

Iarocci said he was happy the case was settled without the need for a trial.

More than 25 people, including at least six Bikers Against Child Abuse, who often comfort and provide support for children who have been abused, were in the courtroom for the sentencing.

The mothers' of the victims both submitted victims' impact statements, which were read during the sentencing hearing. Their names are being withheld to protect the identity of the victims.

One of the mother's said Sweeney had fooled her, fooled her family and friends and now her daughter has to live with this for the rest of her life.

"You are the worst kind of person. ... Although you have hurt us we are OK," she said.

The other mother asked her daughter

if there was anything she would like to

say and her thoughts included Sweeney "being ugly."

"You are the one

adult she doesn't have to respect," the mother said.

Harris offered

Sweeney the opportunity to speak, which

he declined.

Sweeney's attorney, Mark Devan, spoke for his client saying he hopes the victims are able to live full lives and get beyond the abuse.

Harris said the one third-degree felony count of gross sexual imposition carried a four-year sentence and the other third-degree felony count of gross sexual imposition carried a three-year sentence. The sentences will be served consecutively.

Harris also informed Sweeney that he

will have five years of probation after he

gets out of prison and will have to file as a

sex offender in the county where he chooses to reside within three days of arrival in that county.

Harris thanked family members and BACA members who attended the proceedings.

"BACA is unfortunately here more of often then you should be," Harris said of the large amount of sexual abuse cases that come before his court.

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