Streetsboro man pleads guilty to raping young girl

A Streetsboro man pleaded guilty to raping a young girl a month after he declined to accept a plea deal in Portage County Common Pleas Court.

Scott A. Boerio, 47, pleaded guilty May 2 to two counts of felony rape and a single count of felony gross sexual imposition. As part of a plea deal, according to court documents, the rape charges were both amended to require a life sentence, but with the possibility of parole after as little as 10 years. The gross sexual imposition charge comes with a sentence of up to five years.

Judge Becky Doherty ruled that Boerio is a Tier III sex offender, which would require him to register with the sheriff of any county he lives or works in every 90 days for the rest of his life.

Sentencing is pending completion of a investigation by the court's adult probation department.

According to court records, Boerio was accused of sexually abusing the girl beginning when she was as young as 6. As part of the plea deal, two additional rape counts and four counts of second-degree felony sexual battery were dismissed.

A plea hearing previously was held April 3. At that time, Boerio said he would not accept a plea. He cited failure to be provided with a copy of discovery, facts and information exchanged between the prosecution and defense. He said he also wanted to be certain of his constitutional rights.

Doherty ruled that Boerio had a right to review discovery documents, which he had done, but under state law he was not allowed to have a copy.

Following the April hearing, a jury trial scheduled for May 14 was continued to July 23. It has been canceled.

Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Streetsboro man pleads guilty to raping girl, now 13