A 34-year-old Bellefontaine man was sentenced Friday, Oct. 3, by Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas to 30 years-to-life in prison on two convictions of rape, felonies of the first degree, and another conviction for pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor or impaired person, a felony of the second degree.
Paul Michael Dean Anderson was arrested July 9 by officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department after a relative of the victim learned of the crimes.
Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart and Anderson’s defense attorney, Griff Nowicki of Dayton, jointly recommended the sentence. Judge Braig adopted the joint recommendation.
Before a full courtroom, Judge Braig took Anderson’s plea and dismissed four other charges on the motion of Prosecutor Eric Stewart. With the agreement of Stewart and Nowicki, Judge Braig proceeded to sentencing.
Prosecutor Stewart read a letter from the victim and her sister and the victim’s mother, aunt, and grandmother verbally addressed to the Court. Anderson’s sister also verbally addressed the Court.
Anderson visibly trembled when he verbally addressed the court and expressed remorse for his actions.
July 9, officers were dispatched to Anderson’s home on a report of argument between Anderson and the victim’s relatives, as previously reported in the Examiner. He was taken into custody and read his Miranda rights. He reportedly admitted to sexual conduct with the victim, who is under the age of 13, on multiple occasions.
He remains lodged in the Logan County Jail.
