A Huntsville man was sentenced this week to life in prison for the sexual assault of a child under the age of 10.
Jacob C. Ferguson, 31, was sentenced Tuesday, June 6, in Logan County Common Pleas Court.
A Logan County jury found the defendant guilty during his trial in May on all 10 counts of rape with child victim specifications, cementing his fate as a convicted sex offender.
The acts of sexual assault had been committed over a period of almost a year before the victim reported the crimes in March of 2022. Following the victim’s report, investigators from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office took up the case.
When confronted by law enforcement, Ferguson confessed to the sexual assault of the child. However, he initially entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
The court later deemed Ferguson competent to stand trial, dismissing his plea.
Additionally, he sought to suppress the evidence of his confession, but was unsuccessful in doing so.
The court proceedings revealed that Ferguson had a history of sexual offenses. In 2006, he had been adjudicated delinquent in a prior case involving repeated sexual assaults over an extended period. Despite his criminal past, Ferguson displayed no remorse during his address to the court, adamantly professing his innocence.
Assistant Logan County Prosecutor Sarah J. Warren played a vital role in presenting the case on behalf of the State of Ohio, working diligently to ensure justice for the victim, officials report.
Detective Mike Brugler, Detective Shawn McIntire, Deputy Adam Wood, and former deputy Cole Piatt of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office carried out a thorough investigation, providing critical evidence to support the charges against Ferguson.
As part of his sentencing, Ferguson will be required to serve a mandatory 30-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole. This significant prison term reflects the severity of his crimes and the devastating impact they had on the young victim and their family.
The sentencing aims to ensure the safety and protection of society from a repeat offender.
“The sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society and seeking justice for those who have suffered from such heinous acts,” officials from the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office said.