A second count of rape, a second count of gross sexual imposition and two counts of felonious assault were dismissed by plea agreement.
“Obviously the state of Ohio is pleased that we were able to secure a conviction for rape,” said Brian Driscoll, assistant county prosecutor. “The victim is obviously a young individual and so the state did not want to put her through a trial.”
Atha and his victim know each other, according to court documents. The girl, said Driscoll, is emotionally scarred but fine physically. He cited medical privacy laws in declining to elaborate.
Atha was arrested July 15 after semen found on the girl’s bed sheets April 11 was found to match DNA collected from Atha, according to the arrest report.
When Atha is released, he will have to register as a sex offender every 90 days for life, Driscoll said.
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