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Chillicothe Man Found Guilty Of Rapes In Athens
By: Curtis Feder
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – A Chillicothe man could spend nearly three decades in prison after being convicted Friday of raping two women in Athens.
Grant Sims, 25, formerly of Athens, was indicted in February of last year on four counts of rape. He was also charged with theft and identity fraud.
Three college-aged women came forward to accuse Sims of raping them.
The first incident occurred in a car at Sims’ driveway after he met the woman at a bar on Oct. 25, 2018.
The second incident was alleged to have happened on May 25, 2019. The woman claimed they kissed, but when she wanted to leave, he kept her there and forced the encounter to be sexual.
The final two incidents involve the third victim on Sept. 19, 2019, when she said Sims purposely compelled her to submit when she was unable to consent due to being intoxicated by alcohol.
The charges of theft, a fifth-degree felony, and identity fraud, a fourth-degree felony, arose from Sims allegedly taking the third victim’s identification card and credit card to then purchase personal items.
The trial began earlier this week, with witness testimony from the three women, medical professionals and law enforcement officials. The prosecution at the trial presented evidence that Sims lied to law enforcement about the incidents and did not tell the truth on the witness stand.
On Wednesday, he entered a guilty plea to the felony charges of theft and identity fraud.
After closing arguments concluded Friday morning, the jury of the Athens County Court of Common Pleas spent four hours deliberating and came to a verdict.
The jury found Sims guilty of the first and fourth count of rape and dismissed the other two remaining counts.
“The women who came forward in this case showed an abundance of bravery. Sexual assault cases are very difficult and emotional,” said Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn. “I am proud to have them stand up for sexual assault victims in these very difficult and trying cases.”
With the conviction, in addition to the charges Sims pleaded guilty to, he could face a maximum sentence of between 23 and 28 years in prison.
Judge Patrick Lang ordered Sims to be taken into custody and held without bond. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the coming weeks.