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LISBON -- The young female sexual assault victim of Stetson Yost said Yost never thought about how his actions would affect her entire life.
On Thursday, Yost learned how those actions would affect his own life, receiving a sentence of five years for gross sexual imposition plus a term of life in prison for rape.
The now 17-year-old girl who was just 10 year old when the sexual abuse began smiled as Judge Scott Washam handed down the penalty in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
"I feel that justice was done here. I'm extremely proud of her walking in that courtroom and standing up to her abuser," her mother said after the hearing.
She and other family members sat in the courtroom in support of the teen, who briefly addressed the court.
"The defendant stole my childhood and he stole my innocence," she said.
She recounted her issues with depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Her mother talked about how trust has become an issue for all of them. She said her daughter went in there to protect others from having what happened to her happen to them.
"She hopes her coming forward will give others courage to do the same," the teen's mother said about her daughter. "I think her fighting back is bringing back her confidence to live her life. She has goals. She's not letting anything get in her way,"
Yost, 34, Chester, W.Va., remained silent, with his defense attorney, Paul Conn, advising that he planned to appeal the sentence and judgment. A jury last month found Yost guilty of the first-degree felony rape charge and the third-degree felony gross sexual imposition charge, finding that both involved a child victim under 13 years old.
Yost was indicted in January 2023 for the charges that alleged he had sexual conduct and sexual contact with the child, which occurred from April 3, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2019 beginning when the child was 10 years old.
Conn said he understands that these types of charges bring out the emotions, but said "my client still maintains his innocence in this matter."
He said the punishment is more than what is necessary, noting that he never had a criminal charge against him previously and his client disagrees with the finding of the jury and disagrees with the sentence. During his testimony at the trial, he denied the sexual assaults.
Yost's mother, Laura, spoke to the judge, explaining how she was a single mother, worked two jobs and her son was a straight A student and had never been in trouble in his life. She talked about how he was active in school and started working at age 16, giving her the money to help pay their family's bills. He went on to college to major in security and business and spent all of his time taking care of his family.
She talked about her health issues and the health issues of other family members, including Stetson, how he drove them to doctor appointments and did the grocery shopping.
"He's the only one we have to take care of all of us," Laura Yost said.
She described him as a sweetheart, caring, loving and selfless.
"Please show some leniency on my son," she said.
County Assistant Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones asked the court to impose a life sentence for the rape and an additional five years for the gross sexual imposition, which is the maximum, saying that consecutive sentences were necessary to protect the public and punish the offender.
She said the victim had the courage and fortitude to come forward and her testimony never wavered. She remained consistent throughout. She had been a straight A student before this happened, but then her grades suffered and she started self-harming.
As for the defendant, Jones said he expressed no remorse. She said there were no words to describe the defendant, "but despicable comes to mind."
Washam followed the prosecution's sentence recommendation for life in prison for the rape plus the additional five years for the gross sexual imposition, making the sentences consecutive.
"The harm to the victim in this case cannot be overshadowed," Washam said.
Yost received credit for 17 days already served in jail and was designated a Tier III sex offender, meaning if he's ever released from prison, he'll be required to register his address with law enforcement for the rest of his life.
Conn's request for a stay of the execution of the sentence pending appeal was denied. Yost had been in the county jail since the verdict in the jury trial and will remain in custody there until he's transferred to prison.
"We're very happy with the results," county Assistant Prosecutor Steve Yacovone said.
Both he and Jones handled the case and he said the victim was consistent and got justice.
"These types of cases are difficult, but I think they're the most rewarding because we get justice for kids that can't get it for themselves," he said.
When asked what made the difference for this case to get a guilty verdict, he said the letter the defendant wrote to the victim and the victim's consistency both played a part.
In the letter, which had been read during the trial, Yost wrote, ""In my own weakness and twisted ways, I took advantage of you." He also wrote, "I know now that I was nothing but a monster to you and I ruined everything."
According to Yacovone, the letter "showed him apologizing for the crimes he committed."
On social media after the guilty verdict, the prosecutor's office thanked the sheriff's office, Children Services and Akron Children's Hospital for their investigation of this case.
The victim's mother advised other parents who may be dealing with a similar situation to "listen to your kid, be there for them, be strong. Believe them."