Kansas man gets 11 years for rape

A Kansas, Ohio, man was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to rape Friday afternoon. Patrick R. Estep, 32, originally was indicted in June on a charge of rape, a first-degree felony, for an incident involving a 12-year-old. During a hearing in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff’s courtroom Friday, the charge was dismissed, and Estep pleaded guilty to a new charge of rape, also a first-degree felony, in a bill of information. Seneca County Prosecutor Derek DeVine said the original charge had additional elements that would increase the penalty. He said based on his review of the evidence, the offense in the bill of information also was applicable. DeVine said the 11-year sentence was agreeable to him because it kept the victim, who now is 13 years old, from having to testify. Estep’s trial was to begin Monday. “She’s been through enough,” he said. “She doesn’t need a trial,” he said. DeVine said the victim’s mother was comfortable with the sentence because she wants to protect her child. He said he believed the agreed-upon recommendation gets justice for Seneca County citizens. There was evidence of one episode of sexual conduct, he said. The criminal conduct in the case was not the worst form of the offense, he said after the hearing. Estep declined to speak before Shuff sentenced him. His attorney, Gene Murray, asked Shuff to honor the sentence recommendation and plea agreement in the bill of information case. In addition to serving 11 years in prison without being eligible for early release, Estep was classified as a Tier III sex offender with community notification. He was given credit for 143 days already served.