Man gets 15 years to life for rape
Published 10:32 am Thursday, August 18, 2016
A Huntington man was sent to prison indefinitely following his admission to raping an 8-year-old relative.
Gregory Hammond, 38, of 509 Johnson Heights, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court. He pleaded guilty to a first-degree count of rape this past Thursday.
Another relative, Diana Kelly, spoke at the sentencing hearing on behalf of the victim.
“She is very afraid if he is released from prison he will come after her,” Kelly said. “She has nightmares due to this incident. We are trying to get her help with that.
“He’s taken away her dignity, her innocence. He had always said he loved her, but you don’t do something like that to someone you love.”
Judge Charles Cooper also ordered that Hammond must register as a Tier III sex offender, which requires lifetime reporting.
In other cases:
• Andrew Holland, 33, of 1476 County Road 17, South Point, pleaded guilty to a first-degree count of aggravated trafficking in drugs. Other trafficking charges were dismissed.
Cooper sentenced the man to a total of 10 years in prison. Holland was also ordered to forfeit a firearm and $5,634 that was confiscated during his arrest.
• Kerry Coleman, 31, of 317 Mulberry St., Ironton, admitted community control sanctions violations and was sentenced to nine months in prison.
• Shannon Lewis, 34, of 912 County Road 119, Ironton, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree counts of possession of cocaine and identity fraud. Cooper set sentencing for Aug. 31.
• Ryan Gilmer, 34, of 2095 Clendennin Road, Narrows, Virginia, pleaded guilty to third-degree tampering with evidence, fifth-degree possession of heroin and two fifth-degree counts of possession of drugs. Cooper set sentencing for Sept. 7.
• Rebecca Miller, 23, of 705 Ashtabula St., Ironton, pleaded guilty to a second-degree count of burglary and was sentenced to two years in prison.