Three of the four assailants in a violent attack that happened in New Philadelphia back in August have been found guilty for their roles in the assault. The fourth is likely to plead guilty after
cooperating with prosecutors in the other cases.
Juries found Christopher Beatty of New Philadelphia and Jared Soltero of Minerva guilty of aggravated burglary and felonious assault. Beatty was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison but is appealing. Soltero will be sentenced July 15th . Todd Riordan of Massillon pleaded guilty to felonious assault and cooperated with prosecutors. He was sentenced to three to four and a half years in prison.
Prosecuting Attorney Lacee Felix says the fourth defendant, Henry Wellman, also cooperated with prosecutors and is expected to plead guilty to a bill of information, waving a grand jury indictment. So far, the sentences are exactly what the prosecutors recommended.
New Philadelphia Police said the four men, who had been drinking, went to the victim’s house and assaulted him, (outside and inside his home, in front of his wife) leaving him with multiple facial fractures and other injuries requiring surgeries. Police said the men worked together, and one had previously worked with the victim.
Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Elizabeth Thomakos sentenced Riordan on Monday. A jury found Soltero guilty the next day. Beatty was found guilty in March. He filed a notice of appeal with the Fifth District Court of Appeals a week later.
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