A Canton man charged with raping two juveniles in April 2011 could spend life in prison after changing his plea to guilty Wednesday.
Richard L. Merryman, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and one count of kidnapping at his change of plea hearing in Athens County Court of Common Pleas Wednesday. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possiblity of parole after 10 years.
Merryman pleaded guilty to luring a 5-year-old boy into a bathroom stall in the Albany Community Center on April 2, 2011, securing the door, pulling down the boy’s pants, touching his buttock and performing oral sex on him, according to court documents.
Merryman also pleaded guilty to raping a 4-year-old boy at the center the same day.
As part of the agreement, Merryman will spend life in prison with the possbility of parole after 10 years.
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