Former Little Hocking resident Michael L. Mellon, currently incarcerated in Virginia, faced his victim and a family member of the victim as he was sentenced Friday for a sexual attack on a 5-year-old child more than a decade ago.
Mellon, 36, received a sentence of 10 years on a first-degree felony count of forced sodomy of a child and 48 months on a third-degree felony count of sexual battery in Washington County Common Pleas Court.
The sentences are to be served consecutively, according to Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Boyer.
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SHARON BOPP The Marietta Times
Michael L. Mellon, formerly of Little Hocking, received consecutive sentences of 10 years on a count of forced sodomy of a child and 48 months on a second count of sexual battery Friday in Washington County Common Pleas Court.
On Oct. 4, Mellon pleaded guilty to one count of rape and a third-degree felony count of sexual battery.
"He's a dangerous individual," said Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Rings.
Mellon is already serving prison time after being convicted of one count of forcible sodomy in Virginia on Sept. 8, 2009, and for domestic violence in May 2003, Rings said. That sodomy case involved a different child victim.
He is currently incarcerated at Middle River Regional Jail in Staunton, Va.
Rings read a statement prepared by Mellon's victim.
The victim that he was accused of raping on multiple occasions at a Washington County residence in the summer of 2000 was 5 years old at the time.
"I don't understand what went through your head back then," Rings read on behalf of the victim.
"I want you to turn to my mom, who stood by me, ...and apologize to us both," Rings continued.
The victim showed no visible reaction as her statement was read to Mellon or as he was sentenced.
Mellon did not respond to her request for an apology.
Asked by Boyer if he had any statements to make, Mellon said "I don't have any statements, your Honor."
According to the sentence, Mellon must do community service for court costs.
He was also designated as a tier three sex offender.
When Mellon has served his sentences in Virginia and Ohio, he must register as a sex offender within three days of coming into Washington County, Boyer said.
Mellon indicated to Boyer that he had an understanding of his duties as a tier three sex offender.
A Virginia investigator working a case where the charge against Mellon was forced sodomy of a child can be credited with helping to solve the Ohio case, according to Rings.
"He said 'I'll bet this wasn't the first time he did something,'" Rings said.
Mellon had bound and blindfolded both victims during the crimes.
Consequently, investigators began talking to those who knew Mellon when he lived in Washington County.
"This didn't come out (in Ohio) until the Virginia investigator said 'You need to ask the question,'" he added.
When the child in Washington County was interviewed, "It all came out. ...It was almost word for word the same as what the child in Virginia had said."
Rings called the children's stories "eerily similar. (They were) two kids from two different states separated by many, many years."
