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Estes was convicted in March after a week-long jury trial of rape involving a child under the age of 10 and attempted rape involving the same female victim; a charge of sexual battery was dismissed by the prosecution, said Dennis McManes, logistics coordinator for Buckwalter’s courtroom.
The victim, whose identity was withheld during court proceedings, testified during the trial, and the defendant also testified on his own behalf, McManes said.
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The case stemmed from allegations that surfaced in July 2016 when Estes was arrested by Xenia police, according to court records.
Prosecutor Alice DeWine, assistant in the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, said the victim is 8 years old and was 7 at the time the incidents occurred.
“Andre Estes is a predator. He abused a position of trust he had with a very young child who was brave enough to speak out,” DeWine said. “For nearly two years she maintained her account of what happened.”
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DeWine said a representative from Michael’s House, a treatment center for abused children, testified in this case and the successful prosecution of Anthony Moore in March.
“It’s a big victory for child victims in Greene County,” DeWine said. “It sets a precedent to allow (Michael’s House testimony) to happen in the future. It strengthens the state’s case and takes some of the pressure off of child victims as far as testifying.”
This news organization is working to talk with Estes’ attorney Michael Brush.
Estes received 623 days credit for time served after being incarcerated during the nearly two-year period between his arrest and conviction, McManes said.
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