Ronald Paris, 28, of Roy Street in Youngstown, is led out of the courtroom by Mahoning County sheriff deputies Tuesday after he decided to take a plea deal, ending his rape trial before Judge Anthony D’Apolito, who sentenced Paris to life in prison, with his first chance at parole coming after serving 18 years.

YOUNGSTOWN — A Mahoning County jury was sent home around noon Tuesday after a West Side man decided to take a plea deal and a life sentence, ending his trial on rape charges in Common Pleas Court.

Ronald Paris, 28, of Roy Street in Youngstown, pleaded guilty to seven charges connected to the sexual assault of a 14-month-old girl May 31, 2019, including a first-degree rape charge, which carried the life sentence.

Judge Anthony D’Apolito sentenced Paris to the life-in-prison term, with his first chance at parole coming after he serves 18 years. The term was part of a consecutive sentence, first for the rape and then for his conduct — which included spitting at and threatening correction officers while Paris was sitting in Mahoning County awaiting trial for the rape.

The jury, which was seated about noon Monday, heard testimony from the state’s witnesses, including two of Paris’ relatives. It was during a break in Youngstown police investigator Hannah Short’s testimony that Paris’ attorney said he was willing to take a plea.

“I think that the evidence was starting to overwhelmingly mount against him,” defense attorney James Wise said.

Paris also pleaded guilty to three counts of harassment with a bodily substance, one count of intimidation, one count obstruction of justice and one count of criminal damaging. D’Apolito sentenced Paris to three years for the intimidation conviction that will be served consecutively to the 15 years to life he received for the rape.

“We had DNA evidence that tied the defendant to the heinous crime,” assistant Prosecutor Jennifer McLaughlin said. “This has a been a long case, and we are pleased that it has come to a conclusion.”

McLaughlin said the victim’s great-grandmother, who was in the courtroom for the trial, approved of the plea deal and prison sentence, but did not choose to speak during sentencing. She said the victim’s family also desired to complete the case.

Paris was led out in handcuffs by deputies, while the judge dismissed the jury that was waiting in a room next to the courtroom as the defendant went through his rights in pleading guilty.

The crime involved the severe sexual assault on the 14-month-old girl, who was severely injured and had to undergo surgery to repair the wounds inflicted by Paris, McLaughlin said.

D’Apolito said it is “incomprehensible” how this could happen to the little girl.

“I hope somehow she can grow up and some day … she can get on with her life,” the judge said.

The judge said consecutive and maximum sentences were necessary to protect the public because of the seriousness of the offenses and the conduct of the defendant.

Wise said his client is “a difficult person at times, but very smart and has severe mental health issues.”

“This is not to excuse his conduct, but when he takes his medication, he is a completely different person,” Wise said.

Paris apologized to the judge for anything he did or said, but did not specifically mention the assault. If he is released from prison, as a Tier 3 sexual offender, Paris would have to register his address four times per year for the rest of his life.

“I truly wish that he would not be paroled,” McLaughlin said.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com.