'I'm truly sorry for the monstrous act.' Tusc man gets life sentence for child rape

Nancy Molnar, The Times-Reporter
·2 min read
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Clifford L. Sutton Jr., in orange, awaits transportation to begin serving a life sentence for child rape. He is speaking with defense attorney Anthony Koukoutas in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court on Friday, when he was sentenced by Judge Michael J. Ernest.
Clifford L. Sutton Jr., in orange, awaits transportation to begin serving a life sentence for child rape. He is speaking with defense attorney Anthony Koukoutas in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court on Friday, when he was sentenced by Judge Michael J. Ernest.

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ A 34-year-old man who formerly lived in Midvale could spend the rest of his life in prison for child rape and related offenses. The abuse started when the victim was 12, according to the grand jury indictment.

Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Ernest on Friday sentenced Clifford L. Sutton Jr. on three rape charges, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, sexual battery and two counts of gross sexual imposition. Four charges carried specifications labeling Sutton a sexually violent predator.

The sexual assaults began in November 2019 and the crimes continued into this year.

Ernest said the life sentence is mandatory under state law. He gave Sutton credit against his prison sentence for 180 days already spent in the county jail.

Sutton would first be eligible for parole after 15 years. If released, he would be subject to five years of supervised parole and lifetime registration of his address with authorities.

Terms of plea bargain:Former Midvale man faces life in prison for child sexual assaults

No pretrial release:Clifford L. Sutton, Jr. to be held without bail until trial on child rape charges

"I'm truly sorry for the monstrous act that I committed," Sutton said. "I hope that one day my victim could heal from what I've done and learn to trust again."

Defense attorney Anthony Koukoutas of Canton said Sutton took responsibility for his actions, reporting the crimes himself at the Sheriff's Office, where he insisted on giving a statement and demanded to be taken into custody.

Koukoutas said Sutton had no criminal history as a juvenile or adult.

As part of a plea agreement previously negotiated between the prosecution and defense, two rape charges and a charge of endangering children were dismissed when Sutton pleaded guilty Nov. 4. One rape count was amended to eliminate the allegation that force or the threat of force was used.

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Child rapist Clifford L. Sutton Jr. sentenced to life in prison