×

W.Va. man pleads guilty to rape, sentenced to life in prison

LISBON — A West Virginia man accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in 2022 entered a guilty plea to rape Monday and was immediately sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 10 years.

Michael Pressley, 40, Sistersville, appeared in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Scott Washam, accompanied by his defense attorney Terry Grenga.

Pressley was indicted in September 2023 for one count of first-degree felony rape for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with the child victim from Nov. 1, 2022 to Nov. 20, 2022.

According to county Assistant Prosecutor Steve Yacovone, the defendant sexually assaulted the child while she was asleep at a residence where he was staying in East Liverpool. She reported what happened and he admitted to it when questioned by police. He had a prior sex offense out of West Virginia.

He explained that the plea agreement involved a joint recommended stipulated sentence that’s mandatory, requiring the court to impose the sentence of 10 years to life. Yacovone said he’s been in contact with the victim’s mother and she approved of the sentence. He said the victim was satisfied with the conclusion of the case.

No one attended the hearing besides the lawyers, judge and a deputy, but Yacovone read from a statement provided by the mother of the victim in which she described how her daughter is different since this all happened.

“She definitely has a hard time trusting anybody,” he read from the note.

Her grades started slipping and she’s like a whole different person, saying “she is very traumatized.”

Grenga spoke on behalf of her client, saying he accepted responsibility and is “very remorseful for what occurred.”

She commented that hopefully he’ll be able to avail himself of programs while in prison.

When asked if he had anything to say, Pressley said no, adding, “I have no comment.”

Besides the sentence of 10 years to life, he received credit for 243 days already served in jail and he was designated a Tier III sex offender, which requires him to register with the sheriff’s office where he resides once he’s out of prison, every 90 days for the rest of his life.

mgreier@mojonews.com

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today