2 are sentenced over sex crimes involving girl

7/10/2002

A Toledo man and his live-in girlfriend were sentenced yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to four years in prison for sex crimes involving a juvenile.

Clarence Goudeau, 68, and Pamela Russell, 35, of Lincoln Avenue were sentenced by Judge Frederick McDonald. They were convicted of charges involving a girl who is now 15 years old.

Goudeau entered an Alford plea June 6 to sexual battery. Russell entered an Alford plea May 29 to compelling prostitution. An Alford plea is used when a defendant doesn't admit guilt to the specific charges but wants to avoid the potential of a more serious penalty if the case goes to trial.

The four-year sentence given to Goudeau was the result of a plea bargain. He originally was named in a 10-count indictment that included eight counts of rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition. The charges were dismissed in return for Goudeau's plea.

Lori Olender, an assistant county prosecutor, said Goudeau began having sex with the victim in 1995 when she was about 9 years old. Ms. Olender said Russell prostituted the girl when she was about 13 years old.

Judge McDonald classified Goudeau and Russell as sexually oriented offenders, meaning they must register their address with the county sheriff annually for 10 years and every time they move.