Sex Offender Sentenced To Prison For Crimes Involving Two Teenagers

One of Michael Yeckley's victims -- a 13-year-old girl -- talked in court about what she went through after Yeckley plied her with alcohol during a party at a Mentor motel and sexually battered her while he had another partygoer film it.

She said she was insulted at school and threatened on Facebook. She was accused of being a liar and promiscuous.

"I lived in constant fear of being beat up," she said.

She dyed and cut her hair so people would not recognize her. She thought about hurting herself.

"I feel like I will never have a normal life," she told Lake County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Gibson.

Yeckley, 22, of Willowick, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual battery and pandering obscenity in that case.

Yeckley also pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual conduct with a minor from an unrelated case in Eastlake. In that case, Yeckley is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl while he was 18.

Yeckley was sentenced for his crimes Wednesday morning in Gibson's court.

The mother of Yeckley's victim in the Eastlake case asked that he receive the longest prison sentence possible.

"He is a serial predator pedophile," she said. "He's going to continue to seek out younger and younger victims."

Several family members of the victim in the Mentor case also spoke during the hearing.

"This tragedy is something we carry with us every day. It will reverberate through our lives for many years," her mother said. "The defendant caused all of this by taking advantage of a confused 13-year-old girl because he wanted to have a little fun."

Assistant Lake County Prosecutor Jamie Eck noted that Yeckley was out on bond for the Eastlake case when he committed the sexual battery and pandering obscenity.

"I don't think there's any genuine remorse at all," she said. "This is an individual we need to get out of our community. We need to get him off the streets."

Yeckley's attorney, Joseph Morris, claimed his client did feel sorry for his actions.

When Yeckley had the opportunity to speak, he said, "I expect to be punished for what I've done and I am sorry."

"I wish this action had never happened," Yeckley added. "I really do, but I know that I can't be forgiven."

Gibson sentenced Yeckley to nine years in prison and named him a Tier I, II and III sexual offender. That means he will have to register with the local sheriff's office where he lives and works for the rest of his life.

"You've destroyed lives," Gibson told Yeckley. "You've caused people irreparable harm."

Gibson thanked the victims for coming forward.

"These children were strong enough to standup to you -- and their strength and bravery are why we are here," he said.