Local

Prison time added to Trumbull convict’s previous sentence on sex charge

By Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office
Scales of justice and a gavel in a courtroom
(Getty Images)

The following cases were handled Wednesday afternoon before Judge Cynthia Rice of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court:

  • Mark W. Thompson, 51, pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal use of minor in nudity-oriented performance or material and one count gross sexual imposition, and was given a indefinite four to six year prison sentence and labeled a Tier 3 sexual offender. Thompson’s sentence will be served consecutively to the 10-year-to-life sentence he was given in August 2020 by Judge Ronald Rice after he pleaded guilty to two counts of life/rape, two counts of gross sexual imposition and six counts of illegal use of minor in nudity-oriented performance or material. This present case stemmed from the original case as a third victim came forward at a later time, according to prosecutors. That victim read a lengthy prepared impact statement in court on Wednesday telling of the consequences from Thompson’s offenses, which included years of therapy, substance abuse, PTSD and physical problems. Prosecutors stated that Thompson had at least five years ago inappropriately touched the victim, who is now 20, and took nude pictures of her while she slept. As a tier 3 offender, if he is ever released from prison, Thompson will have to register his address four times per year for the rest of his life. The new consecutive prison sentence means Thompson won’t be eligible for parole until at least 2033.
  • Bret Brown, 28, of Olive Street in Niles, was sentenced to a 24-month prison sentence after pleading guilty in January to charges of illegal conveyance of drugs onto the grounds of a specified governmental facilty and possession of cocaine. The judge found because of Brown’s past criminal record that included three prior prison sentences, he was not amenable for probation and had rated to be a high-risk to re-offend.
  • Erica Goeden, 36, of Beechwood Avenue SW, Warren, pleaded guilty to a third-degree aggravated possession of drugs felony as well as fifth-degree felonies of possession of fentanyl-related compound and aggravated possession of drugs. Goeden was sentenced to an 18-month prison term. The case involved an investigation of Howland police where Goeden was found in an Eastwood Mall Complex lot with various quantities of fentanyl-related compound and methamphetamines.
  • Brett McCullough, 37, of Warren was sentenced to a prison term of 15 months in jail after he was found guilty of probation violations for a January 2024 felony conviction for domestic violence. As part of that conviction, McCullough was sentenced to a term in the Northeast Ohio Community Alternative Program rehabilitation, but probation officers stated McCullough did not cooperate and was found insubordinate. He also participated in an altercation at the county jail on Feb. 21, reports stated. The judge stated he was not amenable to probation and was given a prison sentence.
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