Salon owner gets 7 years

PERKINS TWP. — A local nail salon owner learned his fate at a recent sentencing hearing for sex crimes. Dung "Don" Q. Tran, 48, of the 2900 block of Hinde St., pleaded guilty to three felonies: sexual battery, aggravated assault and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. In exchange for his plea, the state dropped two counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition. On July 16, Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Tygh Tone sentenced Tran to seven years in prison. He will also be subject to five years of post-release control. For the two third-degree felonies, sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, Tran was sentenced to three years each. The aggravated assault conviction, a fourth-degree felony, netted him a one-year term. Tone then ordered the three sentences to be served consecutively. Tran was ordered to pay all court costs related to the prosecution. He was branded as a Tier 3 sex offender. That means he will have to register his work, home, school and/or institution of higher education addresses with the local sheriff every 90 days for life. Tran's registration will require community notification. That means the sheriff must provide written notification to people residing near any of Tran's listed addresses within seven days of his registration. He received six days of credit for time spent in county jail. "While I and the victims would have preferred a longer prison sentence, I appreciate that it is the role of the judge to determine the appropriate sentence, and I respect that Judge Tone took into consideration all of the appropriate factors in arriving at his decision," Erie County assistant prosecutor Paulette Lilly said. "I am very happy that he did not receive a community control sanction based upon the multiple offenses and multiple victims involved in this case." The crimes Tran was originally arrested on Aug. 1, 2023, after a 19-year-old woman made a complaint against Tran, according to Perkins police Detective Joseph Rotuno. Tran allegedly engaged in illegal sexual activity with several females. A lawsuit filed on behalf of one of the victims states that she was 14 years old at the time of the offenses. The violations occurred at a Crossings Road business and two residences, one on Milan Road (U.S. 250) and one on Hinde Avenue, according to the suit. "As a direct and proximate result of defendant, Dung Q. Tran's, unlawful, wrongful conduct previously described, 'Jan Doe' has suffered and will continue to suffer mental, emotional and physical pain," the suit states. The victim is referred to as "Jan Doe" to protect her identity. Defense sentencing memo The defense and the state both filed sentencing memorandums. They are documents that give each side's sentencing recommendation as well as reasons for what they are asking. Tran's attorney, Hector Martinez, Jr., asked that his client receive community control sanctions, essentially, probation. "Mr. Tran is a family man," Martinez said, adding that he's married to his wife of 17 years. They "have made a life for themselves in Sandusky and are well-respected members of the community." Tran immigrated to the U.S. in 1989 when he was 12 years old. He learned English and graduated from high school in 1995. He became a naturalized citizen later that year, according to court records. "The letters from community members attached to this memorandum portray Mr. Tran as a devoted husband and father, as well as an extremely kind and compassionate man who is always willing to help others," the memo states. "Mr. Dung Tran is a non-violent person who is not a danger to this community, and he will be motivated to comply with community control sanctions," according to the memo. "He has been punished with shame in the community, embarrassment and a felony conviction that limits his employment opportunities." Tran wrote a letter to Tone regarding the case. "I want to express my deepest remorse and acknowledge the seriousness of the matter. I understand the impact it has on these young women, and I have taken responsibility for my actions and decisions by pleading guilty to several charges." More than 25 people wrote letters of recommendation for Tran, according to court records. Many called for leniency for whom they described as "respectful," "kindhearted" and "not a threat to anyone." State's sentencing memo Lilly drafted the state's sentencing memorandum. "The state submits that the defendant's request for a community control sanction is selfish and unwarranted based upon the facts of this case." Tran was facing a maximum sentence of 11-and-a-half years in prison, the memo states. Lilly requested a slightly shorter sentence. "Nine years in prison, for this defendant, is a gift." "The defendant victimized three individuals on multiple occasions. He groomed them. He took advantage of the relationship he held with them through his business and he caused them serious physical harm by his actions," Lilly said. She said Tran robbed the two teen girls of their youth and caused the 18-year-old woman so much emotional distress that she contemplated self-harm. She posited a question as to whether the letter writers who supported Tran would continue their support if their child or family member were subjected to Tran's actions. "He is a deviant who targeted vulnerable young girls in violation of the law, in violation of social mores and in violation of his vow as a husband and father," the state's memo states. Lilly asked for four-year sentences for each of the victims he raped and a one-year sentence for the victim he assaulted with a sexual motivation.