Kentucky man sentenced for rape of 10-year old adopted daughter
Edward Rowlands takes his seat next to his attorney, Lisa Wells, prior to his guilty plea and sentencing. Photo by Carrie Gloeckner.
POMEROY, Ohio – A man will serve eight years in prison for raping a 10-year old girl in Meigs County, Ohio.
Edward Rowlands, 37, of Somerset, Kentucky entered a guilty plea and was sentenced Wednesday, April 5, 2017 in the Meigs County Court of Common Pleas. Rowlands appeared with his counsel, Lisa Wells, before Judge I. Carson Crow. James Stanley, Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney, represented the state.
Judge Crow accepted the guilty plea. Rowlands was convicted on one count of Rape, a felony of the first degree. Rowlands now must register as a tier three sex offender as part of a plea agreement with the Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney.
When Judge Crow asked Rowlands if he was guilty of the crime, Rowlands said “I’m guilty, your honor.”
Judge Crow explained what Rowlands must do concerning registering as a tier three sex offender. As a tier three sex offender, Rowlands must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
When given the opportunity to address the court, Rowlands declined to say anything on his behalf. His attorney, said this was a negotiated agreement between her client and the state. She said it would spare the victim from testifying in court. “I know this case has gone on for a long time,” Wells said.
The rape occurred between June 18-21, 2015 in Meigs County at the Wisteria Event Site and Campground. Rowlands raped his adopted daughter. She was 10-years old at the time. The girl was taken out of the home and is currently a ward of the State of Kentucky. Rowlands’ wife, however, still has custody of two other girls. The three girls are biological siblings. At the time the rape happened, the other two girls were eight and six years old.
Theda Petrasko, Meigs County Victim’s Advocate, read a statement from the victim’s social worker who is also her guardian. In the statement Petrasko said the little girl has had to endure two years since the rape. She has been separated from her siblings. The victim is up for adoption again.
In addition to a lifetime firearm ban, Rowlands will be subject to five years of post release community control. He must also pay for the cost of prosecution.
Rowlands is not finished with the law, however. He faces similar charges in Somerset, Kentucky. His sentence from Ohio will run concurrently with what time he may be sentenced to in Kentucky if convicted.
