12-year-old girl was victim

 

A Kitts Hill man will spend the next five years in prison and 25 years on Ohio’s registered sex offenders list.

Randall Artrip, 22, of 1079 Township Road 266, pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual battery of a 12-year-old girl.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Smith said the negotiated plea was done with the approval of the victim’s family. Artrip was originally charged with first-degree rape.

Common Pleas Judge Charles Cooper sentenced Artrip to five years in prison, which will run concurrently with a 10-year prison sentence in Kentucky.

Artrip will be classified as a Tier II sexual offender and must register for 25 years.

Artrip, represented by Columbus attorney James Watson, said in court he wished to file an appeal.

In other cases:

Jacob Jenkins, 21, of 610 Washington St., Coal Grove, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree burglary.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson asked for the maximum sentence for Jenkins because of his prior felony criminal history and because he burglarized two separate Lawrence County residences.

“I’d like to apologize to the families, my family,” Jenkins said before sentencing. “I am going to try and make the best of this and come out a productive citizen.”

Cooper sentenced Jenkins to eight years in prison for each count, to be served concurrently. Cooper also ordered Jenkins to pay $2,100 in restitution.

Jenkins was represented by defense attorney James Watson.

Michael Burcham, 38, of 897 County Road 54, Kitts Hill, pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree county of criminal non-support. According to Anderson, Burcham owed about $12,000 in child support.

Cooper sentenced Burcham to five years community-controlled sanctions with intensive supervised probation. Burcham was also ordered to pay $200 per month in arrears.

Burcham was represented by attorney Samantha Fields.

Carol Banfield, 51, of 368 Private Road County Road 65, Ironton, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree illegal manufacture of drugs.

Banfield was accused of producing methamphetamine in her home.

As a part of her plea negotiation, a charge of aggravated possession of drugs was dropped.

“Up until this point, Ms. Banfield has been a model citizen,” said John Kehoe, her attorney. “She took in someone who led her to do something she shouldn’t have done.”

“I wish I would have called the police,” Banfield said before sentencing. “I did not make this stuff.”

Cooper sentenced Banfield to five years in prison, ordered her to pay a $5,000 fine and suspended her driver’s license.

Adam Bare, 23, of 2827 S. Ninth St., Ironton, pleaded no contest to three counts of misdemeanor assault, which had been reduced from felony charges.

Cooper found Bare guilty and scheduled sentencing for Feb. 1. Bare was represented by attorney Mike Gleichauf.