SIDNEY — A Sidney man will spend the next 15 years of his life in prison for two counts of rape, felonies of the first-degree.
James B. Skolfield, 30, appeared in Shelby County Common Pleas Court, Monday, to be sentenced.
Skolfield was originally indicted on five counts of rape in October 2015. According to court records, all counts pointed to incidents around Nov. 1, 2014 when he “engaged in sexual conduct with an 8-year-old female.”
In mid-March he entered a plea agreement in which the defense and prosecution gave a joint recommendation of 10-years in prison on one count and five-years in prison on another count, to be served consecutively, dropping the other three counts against him.
Judge James Stevenson took the recommendation Monday, and told him the 15 years are mandatory, meaning there is no chance of him being released early. In addition, Skolfield will have to serve a mandatory five years of community control upon his release from prison, and will have to register as a tier III sexual offender for the rest of his life.
In court Monday, the victim’s father, grandfather, aunt, and mother all read statements to the court. In addition, a statement from the victim was read. The family members, along with Prosecutor Tim Sell, all agreed this event changed the demeanor of the little girl.
“There is nothing more heinous than crimes perpetrated on very young children,” Stevenson said. “There is nothing more this court can really say. What the family said was very moving.”
Skolfield apologized to the victim and the victim’s family. His attorney Andrew Pratt said, Skolfield was cooperative through the entire case, he has always been able to accept responsibility for what he has done, and Skolfield knows nothing he does now can undo what has been done.
Sell said in court that even though Skolfield is only being sentenced on two counts, the court is aware of more than that and there is a large history of related inappropriate internet searches by the defendant.
Pratt said they spent a great deal of time on the plea agreement. Sell told Stevenson the family of the victim was heavily involved with the agreement that was reached.
