Colt J. Crites facing possibility of spending life in prison for raping two children
NEW PHILADELPHIA — A 27-year-old man could spend the rest of his days in prison for raping two children.
Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Judge Michael Ernest gave Colt J. Crites a life sentence for both crimes, with the possibility of parole after 15 years. The sentence also covers two counts of gross sexual imposition for having sexual contact with the children.
One victim was 4 and 5 years old when the offenses occurred, and the other was 7 and 8. The offenses occurred over a nearly three-year period ending in November 2020.
Ernest sentenced Crites on Tuesday after the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges as part of an agreement negotiated with the county prosecutor's office.
In exchange for the guilty pleas, assistant county prosecutor Kristine Beard asked the judge to dismiss specifications attached to all the charges that alleged Crites was a sexually violent predator. He did. The designation would have meant a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. As part of the plea deal, Beard recommended the sentence of 15 years to life which was imposed by Ernest.
A victim's advocate from the prosecutor's office read a statement from the survivors.
"I feel mad at you because it hurt" the statement said. "I trusted you and I'm angry. But now you can never touch any other kids. I think that you're the meanest person I've ever met. You're not my friend."
The children's grandmother called Crites a monster.
"What you did to our grandchildren will never be forgiven," she said.
She said her grandson was a "real hero" who disclosed the abuse, preventing Crites from again hurting the two victims or other children.
"I just have no idea why anybody ever engages in this type of conduct," Ernest said. "It is so obviously wrong. This is an innocent child right in front of you."
The judge gave the boy credit for having the courage to disclose the abuse. He expressed the hope and belief that the survivors will triumph over the adverse experience.
"They strike me as two very resilient children," Ernest said. "They have a tremendous amount of potential. This can be overcome."
Crites is required to register his address with the sheriff of the county where he lives every 90 days for the rest of his life. He must alert the sheriff to any changes in his home address, place of employment or enrollment in school. Notices about his residence will be sent to everyone who lives within 1,200 feet of his home.
Ernest ordered Crites to pay court costs and gave him credit against his prison sentence for time served in the county jail. Crites was booked into the jail Sept. 9 after being extradited from Durham, N.C., where he was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Colt J. Crites gets life sentence with parole possibility for rapes
