A Troy man shook his head and declined comment Monday, Aug. 1, before being sentenced to 18 years in prison on rape charges involving minor girls.
Thomas Contento, 49, was accused earlier this year of rape of a girl under age 13. He pleaded guilty June 23 to that case and another rape case after two more victims came forward with allegations of sexual abuse following his arrest.
He was charged in the first case with five counts of rape for alleged sexual conduct with a person under age 13 between 2003 and 2005.
A Miami County Grand Jury subsequently indicted Contento on one count of felony rape of a person under age 13 between June 1, 1994, and Sept. 1, 1997, and two counts of felony rape of a 13 year old between March 1 and April 11, 2005.
As part of a plea deal with prosecutors several of the charges were dismissed in exchange for Contento’s pleas in two of the cases.
Prosecutors agreed to recommended prison terms totaling 18 years and to not seek additional charges involving the three individuals.
The pleas in Common Pleas Court came in charges from two cases. The victim in the third case, who now lives out of state, said she wanted the charge dismissed unless proceeding was needed to protect other individuals, Paul Watkins, assistant county prosecutor, told Judge Jeannine Pratt.
Defense lawyers said Monday that Contento had no prior criminal convictions.
One of the victims read her victim impact statement in court. She asked if Contento ever thought what he was doing to her was wrong and said she finally came forward to protect other girls.
Pratt said Contento’s conduct “was and is repugnant,” adding, “The hope is the victims will not allow your actions to define their lives.”
Contento was classified a sexually oriented offender. The designation will require him to register his address with the sheriff in the county where he lives every year for 10 years following release from prison.
Contento was sentenced under sex offender laws in effect at the time of the offenses.
He credited for 188 days served in jail. Pratt said because the sentences required mandatory time, Contento would not qualify for any early release or reduction in days due to good behavior.
