MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A Marion County man could spend up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the rape of a young girl.
Joshua R. Meade Jr., age 19, Marion, pleaded guilty to one count of rape, a first-degree felony, and one count of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, when he appeared before Judge Warren T. Edwards on Nov. 15 in Marion County Common Pleas Court.
Meade entered an Alford Plea in the case, which means that a defendant maintains their innocence, but admits that the prosecution’s evidence would likely result in a guilty verdict if the case went to trial. He claimed in a pre-trial investigation conducted by the court that the rape never happened and that the victim lied to authorities about the incidents.
Edwards sentenced Meade to between 10 and 15 years in prison for the rape charge. He imposed a sentence of 48 months in prison for the gross sexual imposition charge. The two sentences will be served concurrently, Edwards ruled.
Prior to the judge publishing the sentence in the case, Meade’s mother and grandmother and his attorney Todd Workman all asked for leniency in regard to the sentence. Meade himself chose not to address the court.
During the sentencing hearing, Edwards chastised Meade for showing no remorse toward his victim and not issuing an apology to her. He also chastised Meade for accusing the victim of lying about the incidents when Meade himself provided graphic details about the acts to investigators.
Additionally, Meade has been classified as a Tier III sex offender and will have to register as such in the county where he resides following his release from prison. Edwards gave Meade credit for the 193 days he’s already served at the Multi-County Correctional Center in Marion. Meade will be subject to a five-year period of post-release control when his prison term ends, according to the judge.
Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested Meade in May 2023 after receiving a report that he had engaged in sexual contact with a girl who was 12 years old at the time of the incidents that occurred between January 2022 and May 2023. He was also accused of forcing the girl to engage in sexual acts with him.
The Marion County grand jury indicted Meade on two counts of rape, both first-degree felonies, and two counts of gross sexual imposition, both third-degree felonies, when it was convened on May 9, 2023. One count of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
“This case is another example of a young survivor who came forward in an effort to protect herself,” Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan said. “This case is another example of my office’s commitment to doing what we can to achieve justice for victims of sexual violence. These cases are extremely important and we’re going to continue to seek justice on behalf of all the victims of these horrible crimes.”
Meade will be transported to the Correctional Reception Center at Orient in Pickaway County where he will be processed into the state prison system. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections will then assign him to a state prison where he will serve his sentence.