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WARREN -- A Newton Township man who was called a "monster" by a relative of one of the teen victims, received a 15-year composite prison sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to a multi-count indictment linked to a Weathersfield sex-with-minors case.
Howard J. Lovett, 40, of Kings Drive was labeled a Tier 3 sex offender by Judge Andrew D. Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, who had also leveled consecutive sentences in the case.
After his release from prison, Lovett will have to register his address with the sheriff's office four times per year for the rest of his life. He also faces up to seven years of post-release control.
"I hope you spend every night in prison contemplating what you did," said Logan, calling the criminal acts "outrageous and disgusting."
The judge said consecutive sentences are necessary to protect the public because the defendant presents a clear and present danger.
"Not one single sentence will adequately reflect the seriousness of the criminal acts of the defendant," Logan said.
On April 22, Lovett pleaded guilty to nine counts, including rape, two counts of gross sexual imposition, three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and corrupting another with drugs. That same day, the defendant pleaded guilty in a related case to a charge of intimidating a crime witness.
Logan sentenced him to consecutive sentences totaling 13 years in the sex-with-minors case and then an additional two years on the intimidation charge.
Lovett was arrested Feb. 17, 2021, on a secret indictment after a yearlong investigation conducted by the Weathersfield Township Police Department and Trumbull County Children Services.
Reports show the victims were two boys who were ages 15 and 16 at the time of the offenses.
RELATIVES SPEAK UP
Prior to sentencing, Logan heard from two relatives of one of the victims.
"This man is a predator and should never be allowed to walk the streets again," said one relative, who read a statement from the victim.
The victim's impact statement said the support of his family is vital so he "wouldn't lose myself."
The victim's grandmother read a prepared statement saying the acts included a drinking game that involved cold showers and handcuffs. He said these acts have left her grandson with embarrassing and awful memories.
"We are left with a difficult, emotional, angry teenager," she said. "This man has made him keep a dark secret that perplexed his soul."
She said the victim also dealt with anxiety caused by the defendant's court dates as well as the memories of his intimidating him by parking his car at school.
"My innocent grandson is gone, forever scarred by the actions of this man," she said.
Lovett chose not to speak before sentencing.