Daniel L. Evans, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition on April 9, the day before his case was scheduled to proceed to trial. He appeared before Common Pleas Judge William Finnegan for sentencing yesterday afternoon.

Finnegan imposed a sentence of 10 years to life on each of the rape charges to be served consecutively to a four year sentence for gross sexual imposition. The sentence will also be served consecutively to a 4 year sentence previously imposed for a probation violation in a prior robbery case.

According to Marion County Prosecutor Jim Slagle, the charges pertained to a January 12th incident in which Evans picked up a 12-year-old girl near her home. Evans took her to his apartment where they engaged in sexual conduct. The girl’s mother, who did not know where her daughter was, reported her daughter missing to the Marion Police Department. After the sexual conduct, the girl left Evans’ apartment and returned to her own home.

Evans was arrested two days later, on January 14, by Marion Police Officers. Evans has remained in jail at the Multi-County Correctional Center since his arrest. He will be transported to the Correctional Reception Center in Orient to begin serving his prison term.

The rape charges were due to Evans engaging in sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13. There was no allegation that Evans used force.

Although the victim was prepared to testify at trial, Slagle stated that the victim’s family was very pleased that the case was resolved without the trial and that Evans faced a sentence which could keep him locked up for the rest of his life.

Evans’ first parole hearing will be held in 2026, although it is very unlikely that he would be released from prison at that time.

If Evans is ever released from prison he will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, and will be on five years of post-release control supervision.