COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison under a plea deal after prosecutors say an Ohio thrift store worker found photos of him sexually assaulting a toddler that were in a tote bag he’d donated.
The Columbus Dispatch reports (https://bit.ly/2emk1A5 ) 49-year-old Gary Sovie pleaded guilty to rape and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.
He also was sentenced on Thursday to the maximum fine of $35,000 plus court costs. He will have to register as a sex offender.
Prosecutors say a Salvation Army worker in Columbus found 32 photos, some showing a naked girl and others showing a man sexually assaulting the child.
Authorities identified Sovie because the bag contained his mail. They say he told them he’s a “sick person.”
Sovie apologized in court.
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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, https://www.dispatch.com
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