Crawford County child molester sentenced to 45 years to life in prison

BUCYRUS – A Bucyrus man was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to the rape of two children, according to a news release issued Tuesday by Crawford County Prosecutor Matthew Crall.

David Shepherd, 32, of Bucyrus, was sentenced to this sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of rape of two children, both under the age of ten.

The sentence was handed down by Crawford Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold. Call said each count carries a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

“The message of this case is clear: No matter how dire a situation is, a parent can prevail when it comes to protecting their children,” Crall said. “The mother in this case actually alerted the police from prison while she was serving her sentence.”

“She worked with the Bucyrus Police Department to protect her children and bring her abuser to justice.”

The multiple counts of indictment against Shepherd are based on his systematic and repeated rape of two children over several years, Crall said.

“While no one should ever have to suffer the humiliation of having their innocence stolen, we hope this verdict protects our community from Mr. Shepherd,” Crall said. He will not be able to victimize another child.”

The minimum sentence Shepherd must serve is 45 years, Crall said. The maximum sentence is life imprisonment. These sentences are not discretionary when the court makes its decision.

“If you victimize our most innocent citizens, you will be held accountable,” Crall said.