By: Chelsie Firestone
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
After being convicted by on July 28, William F. Johnson, Jr. of Bryan heard his sentencing by Common Pleas Judge JT Stelzer on August 25 in the Williams County Common Pleas Court.
Johnson was convicted of a total of seven counts of rape, all first degree felonies, all with specifications related to the nature of the offenses as well as a repeat pattern Johnson had shown in committing such offenses. As such, prior to the sentencing, Johnson was made aware that the court had determined him to be a tier III sex offender and he was given information describing the requirements and obligations regarding registering as such.
However, that Johnson will need worry about these requirements seems unlikely as his conviction of seven counts of rape includes multiple life sentences.
All seven counts included specifications that the victim was less than ten years old at the time of the offense, that Johnson was a sexually violent predator, that Johnson was a repeat offender, and that Johnson purposefully compelled the victim to submit by force or threat of force.
For three of those counts, Johnson was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He was additionally sentenced to 25 years plus 10 years for the specifications on each of the other counts.
The sentences are to be served consecutively.
Johnson was also ordered to pay for all costs of prosecution, any court appointed counsel costs, and any supervision fees permitted. Attorney Karin Coble was also appointed by the court as appellate counsel for Johnson.
Chelsie Firestone can be reached at chelsie@thevillagereporter.com