Man gets prison for abuse of boys

10/26/2001

A Springfield Township man was sentenced yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to 24 years in prison for sexually assaulting two children.

Melvin Kittle, 47, of 235 Connelsville Ave., was determined by Judge Charles Doneghy to be a sexual predator, which means that he will have to notify law enforcement agencies about where he is living for the rest of his life.

A jury in August found Kittle guilty on eight counts of rape for sexually abusing two boys, who were then 8 and 10 years old, between June and December, 2000. He was convicted in 1991 of gross sexual imposition.

Judge Doneghy ordered that Kittle receive consecutive six-year terms on four of the rape charges, which are to be served concurrent to six-year sentences on the other counts.

In a hearing to determine a sexual classification, the court received reports from two psychologists who believed that Kittle would likely commit similar offenses again.

As a sexual predator, which is the most serious classification for sex offenders, Kittle will have to report to the sheriff's department in the county where he resides every 90 days so neighbors, schools, and day-care centers can be notified that he has moved into the community.

Judge Doneghy said he received letters from family and friends of Kittle asking for leniency. He said he wished the people who wrote the letters had been at the trial to hear the testimony of the victims.

Judge Doneghy said he believed the boys are suffering from the trauma of the rapes.