BUCYRUS — A Bucyrus man has been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to the rape of two children, according to a press release issued Tuesday by Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall.
David Shepherd, 32, of Bucyrus, received the sentence after entering a plea to three counts of rape of two children, both under the age of 10.
Crawford Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold imposed the sentence. Call said each count carried an indefinite sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
“The message from this case is clear that no matter how bad a situation is, a parent can prevail in protecting his or her children,” Crall said. “The mother in this case actually alerted law enforcement from prison while serving her sentence.
“She worked with the Bucyrus Police Department to protect her children and hold their abuser accountable.”
Shepherd’s multiple count indictments stemmed from his systematic and repeated rape of two children over several years, Crall said.
“While no one should ever have to suffer the indignity of having their innocence stolen, we hope this sentence will keep our community safe from Mr. Shepherd,” Crall said. He will not be able to victimize another child.””
The minimum amount of time that Shepherd will serve is 45 years, Crall said. The maximum sentence is a life sentence. Those penalties are not discretionary in sentencing by the Court.
“If you victimize our most innocent citizens – you will be held accountable,” Crall said.