Staff photos / Ed Runyan ... Quintez T. Stokes was sentenced to 14 to 18 years in prison Monday for the sexual assaults on two small children and the physical assault on a third child in 2021 and 2022. His plea and sentencing hearing was held by video from the Mahoning County jail. At right is Stokes’ attorney, David Betras.

YOUNGSTOWN — A Youngstown man was was sentenced to 14 to 18 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to sexual battery of a young child, gross sexual imposition of a second child and felonious assault of a third child.

Quintez T. Stokes, 24, of Tyrell Avenue, received his sentence from Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. The offenses took place at various places in Mahoning County in 2021 and this year.

Nick Brevetta, assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, said the offenses came to light after the felonious assault victim suffered an injury to his wrist in late November, and the investigation determined Stokes had caused it. Other children also were interviewed, which revealed the sexual assaults involving the two other children.

One of the children was 3 years old at the time of one of the sex offenses, Brevetta said. The other children were also “very young,” he said. Their age was one reason prosecutors were willing to reach a plea agreement, so they would not have to testify, Brevetta said.

The child that suffered the wrist injury had been struck by a broo stick, Brevetta said.

The guilty plea Stokes entered is called an Alford plea, which means Stokes pleaded guilty, but does not admit guilt. After entering the guilty plea, the judge found Stokes guilty.

Stokes also is now a Tier 3 sex offender, meaning he will have to register his address every 90 days for life with the sheriff’s office in the county where he lives after he leaves prison.

He was indicted in April on rape, four counts of gross sexual imposition and single counts of felonious assault, child endangering and domestic violence. He was set to go on trial Monday, but the agreement reached late last week stopped the trial from proceeding.

No one spoke on behalf of the victims before sentencing. Stokes also declined to speak.

Stokes’ attorney, David Betras, told Krichbaum he believed Stokes could have gotten not guilty verdicts on some of the charges, but Stokes still would have gotten more time in prison than through the plea agreement.

He added because Stokes is now a registered sex offender, he will have a “difficult time when he gets out.” Krichbaum agreed, calling the registry a “scarlet letter.”

Krichbaum followed the sentence recommended by prosecutors and the defense.

He said one reason he was willing to accept the plea agreement is that when both parties recommend the agreement and the judge accepts it, “You can’t appeal. It’s over. And there is some immeasurable value to the family — that they don’t have to go through this over and over and over again.”

Stokes got credit for 104 days he spent in the Mahoning County jail while awaiting trial. He’s been in the jail since April 22.

erunyan@vindy.com