Former pastor guilty of rape

SANDUSKY — A jury found former Sandusky pastor Richard Mick guilty of rape. Mick, 59, formerly of the Lighthouse Baptist Church, was convicted on one count of rape and multiple counts of gross sexual imposition, all felonies, on the fifth day of his trial. The rape conviction carries a life sentence because the victim was younger than 10 years old. Mick's case involved three victims, and the jury's verdicts varied from victim-to-victim. The former pastor was: • Acquitted of charges — two counts of gross sexual imposition — relating to one victim • Found guilty on one count of rape for a second victim but found not guilty on a second rape charge also involving the second victim • Convicted on charges — eight counts of gross sexual imposition — relating to a third victim The jury deliberated for a little more than five hours after hearing closing arguments Friday morning. In 2016, Mick was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. But that conviction was overturned on appeal due to ineffective counsel. His second trial, last summer, ended in a mistrial after the prosecution did not provide a police report to the defense in the pretrial discovery process. Mick's attorney, Chris Maher, said he intended to appeal the case. He shook the hands of Mick's friends and family as they left the courtroom, saying "sorry" to each person. "We're very disappointed," he said. Assistant Erie County prosecutor Paulette Lilly thanked the jury for their service and said she was thankful for the outcome, which came years after Mick's original indictments in 2014 and 2016, and after three trials. "I'm hoping this brings closure to the families of the victims," Lilly said. Visiting Judge John Haas revoked Mick's bond and had a sheriff's deputy take him into custody and transport him to the Erie County Jail until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Tuesday morning.