Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas today sentenced Alec W. Berry to mandatory prison terms totaling 19-to-24.5 years on his convictions on charges of rape, a felony of the first degree, and sexual battery, a felony of the second degree. The sentence is the maximum sentence permitted for the offenses under Ohio law.
 
Prison terms on both offenses are mandatory. Judge Braig ordered they be served consecutively because he found consecutive sentences necessary to protect the public from future crime by Berry and to punish Berry and that consecutive sentences are not disproportionate to the seriousness of Berry's conduct and to the danger Berry poses to the public. Upon release from prison, Berry is required to register as a Tier III sex offender and be subject to five years of post-release control supervision.
 
The victim and her mother addressed the court during the hearing and requested the court to impose a maximum prison sentence.
 
Berry chose to waive his right to personally address the court during the hearing. Defense Attorney Colin McNamee stated Berry maintains that he is innocent and plans to appeal his conviction and sentence to the Third District Court of Appeals.
 
The State of Ohio was represented by Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen. 

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Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas today sentenced two defendants to prison terms on felony convictions involving drugs and sex offenses, respectively.
 
Judge Braig sentenced De'Andre L. Tucker to 6-to-9 years in prison on his conviction on the charge of illegal manufacture of drugs, a felony of the second degree. Judge Braig found that the offense was committed as part of organized crime.
 
Ethan Gilmore received a 4-to-6 years sentence on his convictions for illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, a felony of the second degree, and two counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person, felonies of the fourth degree.  ​

​Judge Kevin P. Braig of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas today sentenced Chase Whiting to 13 to 16.5 years in prison today on three drug-related felony convictions.
 
Pursuant to a plea agreement, Whiting pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, a felony of the first degree, illegal manufacture of drugs, a felony of the second degree, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a felony of the first degree.
 
Under state law, the court was required to impose mandatory prison terms for all three offenses. Further, the law required a mandatory minimum prison term of 11 years on the engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity conviction.
 
Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Nathan Yohey and Columbus-based defense counsel Luke Milligan jointly recommended the sentence and Judge Braig adopted the recommendation.
 
In addition, Judge Braig sentenced Megan M. Gross to 172 days in the Logan County jail on a probation violation on an aggravated possession of drugs conviction, a felony of the fifth degree. Gross violated her probation by failing to successfully complete programming in the Logan County Adult Recovery Court.

"Brenda Shields is one of the sweetest people who has ever come through the ARC," Judge Braig said.
 
"Brandon Miller put the 'adult' in 'Adult Recovery Court,'" Judge Braig said. "You can graduate simply by doing the recovery work. But we hope to see people grow into adults too. Brandon did so and I expect he will continue to grow."
 
"Davante Smith has come a long way. He has grown into a polite and respectful young man. I cold not be more proud of him," Judge Braig said.
 
"Adam Emrick is a pioneer," Judge Braig said. "He is our first graduate to complete the HVAC technician program at Emerge Recover in Xenia, Ohio. He is now a certified HVAC technician. I know it took courage for Adam to leave Logan County and blaze this trail for others. In doing so, he has made a lasting contribution to the program.
 
"Patricia Haas had to grow up fast. That can be difficult on a person. But she still has a light and good heart," Judge Braig said.
 
"Nate Clem went to Christopher House, got sober, and reunited with his family," Judge Braig said.
 
"Jackie Bray is a stronger graduate now than she was the first time she graduated. Sometimes the sequel is better than the original," Judge Braid said.
 
The ARC treatment team works within the framework of the traditional Logan County Common Pleas Court.  The ARC’s mission is to achieve specific, rehabilitative objectives. The objectives of the ARC are to monitor treatment for substance abuse disorder of ARC participants, encourage and incentivize ARC participants to achieve rehabilitation and personal accountability, and decrease criminal activity and the need for incarceration.
 
The ARC provides its participants with the support of Judge Braig, Treatment Coordinator and Program Manager Annette Deao, Compliance Officers Jim Pleasant, Mandy Wilber, and Gary Ledford, Logan County Jail liaisons Doug Boggs and Amber Pickford, and treatment providers from TCN Behavioral Health Services, Community Health Wellness, the Justice Reinvestment Grant, Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rosen, local attorney Natalie Bahan, and others.  The members of the ARC Team share the  goals of: (1) empowering ARC participants through treatment, accountability, and responsibility, (2) assisting ARC participants in achieving recovery from substance abuse disorder, and (3) helping ARC participants lead useful and productive lives.