Roger Mincey of Elyria found guilty of 12 charges in child sexual abuse case

ELYRIA — A Lorain County jury deliberated for less than a day before finding Roger Mincey guilty of the rape and molestation of a preteen girl and being complicit in the sexual abuse of a preteen boy. Mincey, 40, of Elyria, looked down slightly but had no other reaction as Common Pleas Judge Donna Freeman read out the verdict: Guilty on 12 charges including rape, complicity to rape, complicity to sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, complicity to gross sexual imposition and pandering obscenity, all felonies. There also were two counts of endangering children, one felony and one misdemeanor, both guilty verdicts. One of the rape charges alleges Mincey raped a child under the age of 10, which could send him to prison for life. The jury found Mincey not guilty of a single charge: Compelling prostitution, a felony. Freeman ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for Jan. 9. She revoked Mincey's bond and ordered him taken into custody and he was handcuffed and led out of her courtroom by sheriff's deputies. Nine women and three men deliberated Monday morning before reaching a verdict early Monday afternoon. The Lorain County Prosecutor's Office and the Elyria Police Department said the crimes dated back to 2018. Mincey and his former girlfriend, Ashley Lenhart, were accused of assaulting the victims. Mincey raped a girl and Lenhart abused a boy, jurors learned over five days of testimony. The victims and Lenhart all testified against Mincey. Assistant Prosecutor Tina Kishman argued that text messages between Lenhart and Mincey proved the victims were telling the truth. Defense attorney Michael Stepanik said there were no videos or photos of the assaults like the victims told police there were and alleged that the victims were coached by adults who were out to get his client. He also questioned how Lenhart got a plea agreement that could see her get probation instead of prison time when she admitted to assaulting the male victim. Lenhart, 35, pleaded guilty to sexual battery, gross sexual imposition and complicity to gross sexual imposition, all felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of endangering children. Freeman will sentence her Dec. 19 and label her a Tier III sex offender, requiring lifetime registration. The charges were first filed in March 2021, dismissed in September 2022, then filed again in January 2024, according to court records. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.