Eight years in prison was ordered March 30 for a Bethel Township, Miami County, man who told a judge there was “no excuse” for behavior that led to his conviction for gross sexual imposition.

Gary Grubb, 52, originally was charged with rape and gross sexual imposition of a child under age 13 for alleged actions in 2011.

He later pleaded guilty to three felonies of gross sexual imposition in a plea deal in county Common Pleas Court in which a rape charge was dismissed and an eight-year prison term recommended by prosecutors.

“I do believe he is truly remorseful for the hurt he caused,” defense lawyer Scott Kelly told Judge Jeannine Pratt during the sentencing hearing.

Drug use by Grubb was blamed for his actions in a sentencing memorandum filed by Kelly the day before sentencing. “Without drug usage Mr. Grubb would likely not have committed the instant offense. However, the defendant fully realizes that his drug usage is not a defense to his actions,” Kelly wrote.

Letters from Grubb family members accompanied the memorandum. They wrote that the allegations against Grubb went against his character, and the treatment they received from him over the years.

“There’s no excuse,” a crying Grubb told Pratt. “Words cannot express how sorry I am ... and how much it hurts to know I inflicted harm on another human.”

Paul Watkins, assistant Miami County prosecutor, told the judge, “The defendant said it best when he said here’s no excuse.”

Watkins said sheriff’s Detective Todd Cooper made a strong case against Grubb including obtaining confessions. The case was hurt, however, when relatives of the victim told him prosecutors could have no additional contact with her regarding the case, Watkins said.

“Eight years... I believe, is the only justice we are going to get,” he said.

Pratt reviewed Grubb’s criminal record including adult convictions for petty theft, DUI and disorderly conduct.

She found the victim suffered serious psychological harm and that Grubb demonstrated genuine remorse.

Pratt ordered Grubb to serve two three-year prison terms and one two-year term. The sentences will be served consecutively because a single term would not reflect the seriousness of his conduct, the judge said.

Grubb was given credit for 196 days served in jail and ordered to pay court costs.

He will be required to serve five years of post release probation and was classified as a Tier II sex offender. The classification will require him to register, following prison release, his address with the sheriff’s office in the county where he lives every 180 days for 25 years.

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