RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Friday, March 19, 2010

Man receives life sentence for six rapes
Diamond Mine Direct
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

A Findlay man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Thursday for raping a girl beginning when she was in kindergarten.

"I have one good question to ask you. Why would you ever do what you did? I am not sorry for what is going to happen to you," the girl, now 9, told Ronnie Gutierrez in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.

"I would forgive you if you admit to what you did," the girl said, reading a statement.

Gutierrez was convicted last week of raping the girl on six occasions when she was between the ages of 5 and 7.

But Gutierrez, 44, maintains his innocence. He spoke at the sentencing, apologizing to both families involved with the case for the stress they have endured, but said: "I feel that there were things that should have been said in court that weren't addressed and hopefully they will be addressed later."

He made no other comment and later told Common Pleas Judge Joseph Niemeyer he would like to appeal.

The girl's mother also read a statement at the hearing, blasting Gutierrez.

"You took my child's innocence from her and this is something she can never get back," the mother said. "It took the honesty of a child to uncover your deceit and lies."

Gutierrez looked directly at the girl and her mother as they read their statements at the hearing, but did not show any visible reaction.

Last week, a jury convicted him of six counts of rape, all first-degree felonies. The jurors also found him guilty of specifications attached to each count, stating the girl was less than 10 years old at the time of the offenses, which occurred between Sept. 5, 2006 and July 13, 2008.

Gutierrez's attorney, Jerry McHenry with the Ohio Public Defender's Office, asked Judge Niemeyer to show a "temperance of mercy" in sentencing Gutierrez.

McHenry said at age 44, Gutierrez's life is likely half over. He asked Niemeyer to find a "middle ground and not to impose a Draconian sentence" so his client could avoid "having to die in the dungeons of Ohio's penal system."

But County Assistant Prosecutor Kristen Johnson said Gutierrez cannot be rehabilitated. She asked Niemeyer to sentence him to life in prison without parole or to consecutive "life" sentences.

"The defendant has not taken responsibility for his actions and in fact, continues to call her (the girl) a liar," Johnson said.

While the girl has made "great strides" in dealing with the abuse, it has impacted more than half of her life so far, Johnson said.

"It's impacted her kindergarten year, her first-grade year, her second-grade year and now her third-grade year," Johnson said.

In the end, Niemeyer decided Gutierrez should be behind bars for life.

"Mr. Gutierrez, the conduct here is really inexcusable. You were the adult," the judge said.

After the hearing, Johnson said prosecutors were pleased knowing that Gutierrez will be in prison permanently.

The girl "doesn't have to look over her shoulder worrying about him ever being out," Johnson said.

McHenry said he had no comment after the hearing.

Cravens: 419-427-8422, Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.

2 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Crystal wrote:
Man Receives Life Sentence
“ ""McHenry said at age 44, Gutierrez's life is likely half over. He asked Niemeyer to find a "middle ground and not to impose a Draconian sentence" so his client could avoid "having to die in the dungeons of Ohio's penal system.""
Really? Why should Gutierrez have the pleasure of any leniency? This brave young girl has to die knowing what was done to her when she was just 5-7 years old? Why shouldn't he die in a dungeon? It is what he deserves. I do not feel sorry for a disgusting individual that takes advantage of helpless children. He deserves the life sentence without parole that he received.
”
Friday, March 19, 2010 10:43:34 AM
Jerry Wilson wrote:
Bravo
“ Accolades to Judge Niemeyer, Asst. Prosecutor Johnson, and most of all this 9 year old girl, for not only coming forward, but for showing bravery and strength that many could only wish for.

Mr. Gutierrez will get what he deserves, and Mr. McHenry's conduct in the trial has only sullied his "professional" reputation.

It's only too bad that all sexual offenders of children aren't served with appropriate sentences such as this. ”
Friday, March 19, 2010 8:41:22 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
Ryan wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Research
“ It doesn't matter if there was a weapon found or not. An officer's job is based upon perception and their objective reasonablen... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:05:15 AM
Derek wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate......what???
“ Nate, first of all, police officer's don't carry mase. If they did, the would carry maCe. Now, if you did some research, you'd... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 4:02:04 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Subscribe to The Courier - Current Offers
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.