Thursday, May 9th, 2013
25 more years in prison
Former Maria Stein man
By Margie Wuebker
A former Maria Stein man appeared in Mercer County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning and showed no emotion as he received an additional 25-year prison sentence for sex-related offenses involving children.
Travis M. Quinter, 33, who had resided at 1229 state Route 716, already has sentences totaling 60 years for similar crimes involving the same victims in Allen and Auglaize counties.
Judge Jeffrey Ingraham imposed the 10-year maximum on both counts of first-degree felony rape along with the maximum five years for gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, with the time to run consecutively.
Quinter, who has the right to appeal within 15 days given the imposition of maximum penalties, must complete sentences in the other two counties before his Mercer County term begins.
Ingraham - like Allen and Auglaize county judges - classified Quinter a Tier III sex offender, meaning he must register every 90 days for life with the appropriate sheriff's office. The requirement starts if and when he gains release.
Quinter quietly declined the opportunity to address the court prior to sentencing. However, he occasionally turned to look at family members.
Defense attorney Peter Van Arsdel asked the court to take into consideration that Quinter did confess when initially confronted by authorities. He also described his client as being remorseful regarding the "series of situations."
Mercer County Prosecutor Matt Fox requested "consecutive significant sentences" due to multiple victims who suffered serious psychological harm that was exacerbated by their age. Court records indicate the three girls were younger than 13 at the time.
Quinter pleaded guilty April 17 as part of a negotiated agreement that included dismissal of 27 counts of rape and three counts of gross sexual imposition contained in the original grand jury indictment.
His Auglaize County case involved four counts of rape while the Allen County case included two similar charges. Negotiated agreements resulted in the dismissal of additional counts.
The Mercer County crimes occurred between January 2010 and July 2012 while the offenses in Allen and Auglaize were committed between November 2011 and March 2012.
