06/12/17 – 5:39 P.M.
A Findlay man due to stand trial on a rape charge pleaded guilty to lesser offenses. The Courier reports that 55-year-old Rodolfo Sierra was sentenced to 71 months in prison by Judge Reginald Routson. He was convicted of gross sexual imposition and sexual battery.
The charges stemmed from a sexual assault in May of last year. If he had been convicted of rape, he could have faced up to 10 years in prison. The victim chose not to attend the Monday hearing. An advocate said that she was still traumatized by the assault.
Assistant Prosecutor Steve Powell called the plea bargain the “best resolution of the case”. It meant that Sierra will still serve serious time and the victim will not have to face her attacker.