A Dover man has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to raping a 6-year-old child.
Brandon Lynch, 27, entered a guilty plea to one count of rape, while four other felony charges were dismissed, according to a sentencing order issued March 14 by Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Elizabeth Thomakos.
Lynch was indicted in October on five charges, including two counts of rape, two counts of gross sexual imposition, and one count of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance. The indictment indicated the crimes occurred in August 2024 when the victim was 6 years old.
Initially, Lynch pleaded not guilty, but he changed his plea on March 14, just weeks before his scheduled jury trial. As part of his sentencing, he has been classified as a Tier III sex offender, the highest classification under Ohio law, requiring lifetime registration.
