Child rapist lands 8 life sentences

astolfi@sanduskyregister.comA Sandusky man received multiple life sentences during the conclusion of what officials deemed one of the most horrendous child sex abuse cases Erie County has seen.Michael Walls, 51, landed five life sentences without the possibility of parole, three additional life sentences, plus 68 more years in prison on Monday afternoon.He raped a girl multiple times a week for most of her life — beginning when she was just three or four and continuing into her teen years — until Sandusky police and social workers were tipped off to the case in 2013.After a nearly two week trial last month, a jury found Walls guilty on two dozen counts of rape for his crimes.His victim, now 19, not only took the witness stand in March — she also addressed Walls directly during Monday's hearing, and detailed the fallout from his abuse:"It was really hard for me to jump out into the real world. It's hard for me to socialize and get along because I'm different," the teen said. "I still struggle at work...I'm still trying to get my GED. It's not fair what us kids had to go through for so many years."Erie County assistant prosecutor Pamela Gross, who argued the case at trial, called it "truly one of the most disturbing cases (the prosecutor's) office has ever seen.""(Walls) cultivated an environment of fear, an environment of isolation. There was physical abuse in the home, mental abuse, and of course, multiple incidences of sexual abuse," Gross said.She described the victim's life — and the lives of other kids in the home — as ones that included no socialization, little communication with family, no friendships to speak of, and no schooling, formal or otherwise.There was "no compassion for these children," Gross said, and Walls "used them instead for his own perverse sexual fantasies.""These kids are flourishing now — and it's not because of him, but in spite of what he did," Gross said, earning a cross-courtroom glare from Walls.Though he never took the stand at trial, Walls did speak at Monday's hearing, marking the first time he's publicly commented on the case."First thing, I am innocent," Walls declared. "The State sits over there (saying the) kids had an isolated life....(but) they had a good life.""I despise corrupt prosecutors. Children be damned, it doesn't matter, I'm just a number to them," Walls went on.He then launched into a winding rant about the government, systemic corruption, the Constitution and freedom.Walls further claimed his trial was unfair. He even compared it to court proceedings in North Korea, and at one point, mentioned the judge's mother.But Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Roger Binette soon called Walls out."You took away (the victim's) right to be a child," Binette told Walls. "You were a prison guard to them — you were controlling every movement in their lives...for your pleasure."The judge also praised the victim for her bravery."You reached a huge accomplishment in standing up to (Walls') tyranny," Binette told the teen. "You should be very proud of yourself."The judge then handed down Walls' punishment, leveling eight life sentences plus nearly 70 more years behind bars.Walls, who said he intends to appeal, was remanded into the custody of sheriff's deputies. He'll remain at the Erie County jail until his transfer to a state prison.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.Michael Walls was sentenced for rape in Judge Roger Binette's court in Erie County on Monday, April 4, 2016.