Judge in Mahoning County, Ohio, convicts Sergio Gonzalez of child rape

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A city man found guilty of two counts of rape earlier this month was sentenced Monday to 10 years to life in prison.

Sergio Gonzalez, 23, received the sentence from Judge John Durkin in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

“The defendant is targeting an 11-year-old girl,” said Assistant District Attorney Kevin Day.

Day said the victim and her mother should be applauded for their courage in coming forward.

Gonzalez was charged in May 2022 with raping an 11-year-old victim from December 2017 to June 2018.

He was on the run until June, when he was arrested by Canfield police during a traffic stop.

Defense attorney Aaron Meikle said his client continues to maintain his innocence. He said his client was not speaking because he is appealing his conviction.