WEATHERGill pleads guilty to raping child
Apr 28
2011
A registered sex offender pleaded guilty Wednesday to rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition for assaulting an 11-year-old girl last year.
Port Clinton resident Jeffrey L. Gill, 49, of East Harbor Road, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when he's sentenced on June 6.
In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Gill pleaded guilty to the three charges in exchange for the dismissal of two counts of rape and eight counts of gross sexual imposition.
This is the second time in less than five years where Gill accepted a plea agreement in Ottawa County cases involving sex crimes.
In a 2007 case, Gill was charged with rape, gross sexual imposition and sexual battery for an attack on a 19-year-old woman. In a deal with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition.
Former Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Paul Moon sentenced him to the maximum term — one year in prison.
While in prison, Gill requested early release twice but was denied.
His family wrote letters of support at the time, saying he'd taken up reading the Bible and wasn't likely to be a repeat offender.
After he was released, Gill had to register as a sex offender.
But Ottawa County Sheriff's deputies investigated him again in 2010 after he was accused of raping an 11-year-girl multiple times. The incidents happened from April to July 2010, and then again from Nov. 1 to Dec. 11, 2010.
Speaking very softly in court on Wednesday — at times appearing as if he was fighting back tears — Gill admitted to Judge Bruce Winters he raped the girl.
In light of Gill's plea agreement, the victim won't have to testify in court, prosecutors said.
Ottawa County prosecutor Mark Mulligan declined to talk specifically about Gill's case, but he did discuss sex cases in general.
"Any time a very young person has to testify, it's a traumatic experience," Mulligan said. "If we can settle the case in a manner that's fair, that's something we'll work for."
Ten of the 20 years Gill is facing are mandatory because of the rape charge, Winters said.
Once Gill is released after serving a decade or more in prison, he'll be placed on probation for five years. He'll also have to register as a sex offender every 90 days for the rest of his life.
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08:29 PM
Sweep88 says
Your honor..... Give this man a chance to receive the forgiveness of Christ. Then send him to Lucasville. He wont cost the taxpayers money for very long. They will deal with him in their own way.
06:58 AM
Dianna44857 says
I just know people personally, who have been sexually assulted, and abused. I find it ridiculous for people to say God will do the juding, ect. That is just not good enough in my book.
It's like the comment. God only gives you so much that you can handle. UGH. They must live in a bubble and nothing stressful, or horrible, ever happens to them.
09:18 PM
Mama of 4 says
God can forgive him, and in the meantime, he should reap what he has sown....to the maximum requirement of the law.
And Mavericks I total agree with that
09:10 PM
Mama of 4 says
I was misunderstood. I DO thing he should do time in prison NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT!!!!!! Im saying its not our place to judge. And that is clear cut in the bible In the words of Jesus those who have no sin cast the first stone. Like I sadi he should be punished to the ful extent on the law and Dianna you should call people name and be harsh when you dont know the perosn you misunderstood me.
05:11 PM
Erie County Resident says
Time to stop all the plea deals for everyone and burn them for everything they did.
Save the money of transporting this loser to the Big House, rent a backhoe and just bury him under the jail here.
04:37 PM
cherrybee says
Absolutely disgusting. I have an 11 year old daughter, and I honestly think that I would lose enough of my mind to tear his still beating heart out of his chest before he could make it into a courtroom. It also seems that he is reverting to younger and younger victims...the first was 19...then 11. When he gets out next time what will it be...a 5 or 6 year old? I say let the parents have a go at him..just for 5 minutes.03:54 PM
mommy-of-3 says
I think the SOB should ROT in prision for the rest of his life! what happens if and when he gets out that poor girl she'll live in terror the rest of her life! After all he has done this twice now (as far as we know) so what does he need to do before he gets what he deserves? The first time should have been it for this DUSCHEBAG! Thats whats wrong with the system they let these a**holes free to rape and vandilize our kids and no one sees the problem with this? I have NO faith in the system if they let the scum of the earth out free to distroy our families.
10:46 AM
swiss family says
sorry "Mama" God told us to protect the children.... and that what needs to be done here and the only way to do that is to judge him, and judge him harshly..... that is our duty... and you are right after he does his time here.. then it is up top God to take care of it as she sees fit!!!
10:45 AM
Dianna44857 says
"Leave it up to god" You must be completely naive or just plain ignorant. Do you think the 11yr old girl should have to wait til the day she dies, to get relief from the pain, this peace of crap did to her?? Get real. These molesters need to be taken care of NOW, Let's not pass the buck, it needs to stop here.
10:37 AM
Julie R. says
Filthy dirt bag scum.
10:04 AM
maverick12 says
Sorry Mama...I do not agree! We have every right in this case.
God does not want us to judge on things we do not understand. This case is quite clear.
This guy only faces 20yrs but the "sentence" he passed on to his victim is for life! I do not think that is a fair judgement. He has proven his redeemable qualities and they are sorely lacking.
Giving him a second chance has proven to be a mistake. Giving him a third could be a tragedy.
God can forgive him, and in the meantime, he should reap what he has sown....to the maximum requirement of the law.
09:18 AM
Mama of 4 says
Not saying what he did was right in any way shape or form but only God should judge and when his time comes he will be looked at by the ultimate judge and get his true punishment
08:49 AM
NurseMeg says
Fighting back tears? Puh-lease! Bye bye!
08:35 AM
Livinthedream says
Makes you wonder what his family is saying now! Have fun in prison bro.
08:28 AM
Cityslicker says
First have the baliff whack his pee-pee, and then give him the max with no chance of early release.
06:04 AM
kURTje says
His Fu Manchu makes him look the 1of the Village People. Scum. Hope he gets played in tha joint.