Detectives said Stidham and roommates William Bayless and Brenda Middleton-Bayless spent time with the girl grooming her so that she could be easily victimized. It involved parties where they would shoot toy guns and play Dungeons and Dragons prior to engaging in sexual activity.
Bayless and Middleton-Bayless, both 35, pleaded guilty to rape and gross sexual imposition and are scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday by Judge Keith Spaeth.
Before the sentencing, defense attorney Kyle Napier told Powers that Stidham had no serious prior criminal history and cooperated with the Monroe police investigation.
The victim’s father spoke loud and clear to the judge that Stidiham should get the maximum prison sentence, which was 13 years.
“He raped my 12-year-old child. I mean 12 years old. He deserves everything he can get,” the father said.
He had no comment after the hearing.
Stidham also was classified as a Tier III sexual offender, requiring him to register his residence with the sheriff every 90 days for life after he is released from prison.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.
About the Author
