Timothy Merrell, 41, of 260 Highland Lick Road, was sentenced Thursday, Jan. 17 to six years in prison for sexually abusing two small children, an 11-year-old and a 9-year-old female.
Merrell was arrested on June 18, 2012, first degree sexual abuse for fondling the two victims. According to the arrest report, Merrell admitted on video and audio that he fondled the 11-year-old four times and the 9-year-old three times. When the detective conducted the interview, both girls collaborated Merrell’s admittance of the events. He was lodged in the Logan County Detention Center and held on a $10,000 cash bond at the time.
As part of his sentencing, Merrell has to complete a sex offender treatment program with the Department of Corrections, he will have five years conditional discharge (which means if he gets into trouble within five years after being released he could get five more years added), he can never have contact with the victims in the future, and he will be listed on the Lifetime Sex Offender Registry.
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Justin Crocker, who handled the case, said Merrell’s attorney requested probation, however, the judge denied the request giving Merrell a stern speech about abusing children.
According to Crocker, Merrell will have to serve 20 percent of his sentence, which means he would be up for parole in 14 months.
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