A Columbus Grove man facing several charges of rape was sentenced to prison today.
62-year-old Richard Byrd was sentenced to 56 years to life in prison in Allen County Common Pleas Court. Part of a plea deal, Byrd pleaded guilty to ten counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of gross sexual imposition. According to the Allen County Prosecutors Office, there were multiple victims involved and all minors. Byrd abused these individuals for multiple years. The state argued that Byrd should serve a lengthy sentence.
"It is the state's position that the defendant should never, ever be released, into a civilized community, ever," said Tony Miller, assistant prosecutor of Allen County.
The defense argued for the court to take Byrd's health into consideration for sentencing.
"Mr. Byrd is 62 years old," said defense attorney, Zach Maisch. "He is in pretty poor health. Quadruple open heart surgery. there's no doubt that because of his poor health, it's going to create an extra hardship at prison."
Byrd was credited with 160 days already served.
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