Crestline man gets two life sentences for rape

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BUCYRUS — Wesley Kinkead, 41, of Crestline, was sentenced this week to life in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of rape in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.

Kinkead was charged with two first-degree felony charges of rape. His victims were 11 and five.

As part of a negotiated plea deal, 70 charges of pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor were dismissed with the prosecution agreeing not to bring additional charges related to this case in the future.

Before pronouncing the sentence, Crawford County Common Pleas Judge Sean Leuthold heard from the prosecution, the defense and the defendant.

Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler was first to speak.

“Your honor this case is a sad case,” said assistant Crawford County prosecutor Ryan Hoover. “These are two wonderful amazing girls who were sexually abused multiple times. The five-year-old was hurt badly as a result of this abuse. But above all of that, these girls were brave. I know their future is strong because of their personalities and their character.”

Hoovler noted the older victim finally put a stop to the abuse by standing up for the younger victim. Hoovler said he wanted Kinkead to sit in prison and think every day, every minute and every second about what he has done.”

Court-appointed defense attorney Jerry Thompson said in a case like this there is very little to say.

“Since I was appointed to Mr. Kinkead’s case he has shown remorse for his actions, but there is no resolution that can erase this event,” he said.

Kinkead also addressed the court.

“I am like a drunk driver, alcohol ruins lives and I let it ruin mine,” he said. “I have to live with this for the rest of my life.”

Leuthold was not moved by Kinkaid’s statement. Leuthold ordered the 11-year-old victim temporarily removed from the court room but told her she would be allowed back in for sentencing.

“I want to put some things on the record that might be traumatizing,” Leuthold said.

“I am not an emotional man. I sentence a lot of people and see some heinous crime. But some cases, like this one, make it hard to deal with,” Leuthold said. “The defendant has pleaded guilty to two counts of rape. This case cries out for consecutive sentencing.”

Leuthold went on to reveal that this case had come to light after the five-year-old victim was badly injured.

Saying that the crimes speak for themselves, Leuthold said Kinkead’s were “indescribable evil.”

Leuthold noted in that in his brief statement, Kinkead compared himself to someone who was driving drunk.

“I have known people who drive drunk; the court has punished them accordingly,” Leuthold said. “There are a lot of good people who battle drinking. But to equate yourself with them is just you minimizing your own behavior. The only reason you are here today is because the evidence against you was so overwhelming. That’s why you took the plea.

“You are a bully and an abuser. I want these children to know that they never have to see you, talk to you or hear from you again.”

Leuthold imposed life sentences on each count of rape, each being a minimum of a 25-year sentence. The sentences will be served consecutively. Kinkead will not be eligible for parole until he serves 50 years in prison. He would be 91.

Leuthold spoke directly to the young victim.

“Look I know your life is turned upside down right now,” he said. “I know Christmas is coming. I want you to keep the hope. You can be anything you want to be. The best gift I can give you is that I promise you he will never be a part of your life again.”

https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2018/11/web1_Kinkead-Wesley-Adelbert.jpg

By Kathy Laird

Crawford County Now

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