CINCINNATI — Two people were sentenced to a combined 307 years in jail on Monday for the rape of three children over the course of 14 years.
Herman See, 50, and Angela Stites, 44, were both charged with multiple counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition among other related charges. See was sentenced to 221 years in jail and four life sentences for his crimes, and Stites was sentenced to 86 years in jail. They are also required to register as tier three sex offenders, the highest tier.
When Judge Patrick Dinkelaker began to read See his conviction, he asked if See knew what was on the conviction sheet. See said, "Don't care." Moments later, See said, in an attempt to maintain his innocence, "I'm not guilty."
Some of the victims of these crimes gave statements to the court prior to sentencing.
One victim said the abuse they suffered at the hands of See and Stites began when they were 5 years old. "I was still learning how to write and read," they said. "I couldn't even tie my shoes yet."
"You destroyed me as a person a long time ago," another victim said. "I felt disgusting. I felt as if I allowed it to happen for so many years because I believed it to be OK."
At one point during the statements, See said, "All lies." Later, See said, "You all couldn't handle the truth."
After the sentencing, Christina Dattilo and Mike Peck, assistant prosecutors who tried the case, said in a statement released by the prosecutor's office that they hope the sentences of See and Stites will provide some comfort to their victims.
"[They] were victims for their entire childhoods," the statement reads. "But today they are strong [individuals] and survivors.”
