Bucyrus man sentenced to 45 years in prison for raping two children

A Bucyrus man will spend at least the next four and a half decades in prison after pleading guilty to child rape during a preliminary hearing in Crawford County Common Pleas Court Monday.

David Shepherd, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of raping two children, both under the age of 10, according to County Prosecutor Matthew Crall. Each count carries an indeterminate sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

“The multiple charges against Shepherd stem from the systematic and repeated rape of two children over several years,” Crall said.

Judge Sean Leuthold sentenced Shepherd to 15 years to life in prison on each count, to be served consecutively for a total of at least 45 years behind bars.

“The message of this case is clear: no matter how serious the situation, a parent can prevail and protect their children. In this case, the mother actually alerted law enforcement from prison while she was serving her sentence. She worked with Bucyrus police to protect her children and hold their abuser accountable,” Crall said.