YOUNGSTOWN — A 50-year-old Boardman man on Monday was convicted by a Mahoning County jury of 14 of 15 counts involving the rape of two teen boys in 2017.

Robert Boyd of West Boulevard was convicted of two counts of rape, one count of gross sexual imposition, two counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and nine counts of illegal use of minors in nudity-oriented material or performance. The jury returned a not guilty verdict for one misdemeanor count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen Sweeney read the verdicts shortly after noon, ending a weeklong trial. The defendant was put in handcuffs by a sheriff’s deputy after the first guilty verdict was read. The jury deliberated about four hours after getting the case late Friday afternoon.

Boyd shook his head as the verdicts were read. He faces up to 32 1/2 years in prison. Sweeney did not set a sentencing date.

Testimony lasted three days, which included the defendant and the two young male victims.

Assistant Prosecutor Steve Yacovone said he was elated about the verdicts.

“Justice prevailed in this case. I’m happy the victims got their day in court today,” Yacovone said.

The assistant prosecutor lauded the investigative efforts of the Boardman Police Department, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Prosecutor Paul Gains’ office in gaining the convictions.

In 2017, Boyd met a boy, 17, through social media and took him to Boyd’s house, prosecutors said. While having sex, he “begged the defendant to stop,” according to assistant Prosecutor Jennifer McLaughlin.

Another victim was a 15-year-old boy Boyd met on the internet site Craigslist in 2017. They started texting on their phones, and Boyd sent explicit photos to the boy, leading to another rape charge.

Attorney Mark Lavelle, who represents Boyd, did not return a call made to his office for comment.

This was the second jury trial in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court since the coronavirus pandemic hit in the spring. Clear, plastic barriers were placed between or around the jurors in an effort to reduce spread of the virus.

The jurors, who deliberated in the courtroom, were thanked by both the judge and prosecutors after the verdicts were read.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com