Staff photo / Ed Runyan Chad R. Scofinsky, 37, left, of Noel Drive in Youngstown, pleaded guilty to a rape charge Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and got a recommendation of six to nine years in prison. He will be sentenced May 28. His attorney is Ron Yarwood.

YOUNGSTOWN — Chad R. Scofinsky, 37, of Noel Drive in Youngstown, pleaded guilty to a rape charge Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and got a recommendation from the prosecution and defense for six to nine years in prison. He will be sentenced May 28.

Scofinsky was indicted on two more serious rape charges that each contained the possibility of a life prison sentence, as well as two counts of gross sexual imposition in December 2024.

The victim is a child under 13 years old, and the offenses occurred from March 2022 to April 2024, according to Scofinsky’s indictment.

As part of Scofinsky’s plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony rape charge that carries a prison sentence of between three and 11 years. The three other charges are being dismissed.

He will be labeled a tier 3 sex offender required to register his address with the sheriff wherever he lives every 90 days for life after he leaves prison.

During Scofinsky’s plea hearing, Judge John Durkin told Scofinsky that he is aware that the plea agreement came after his attorney, Ron Yarwood, filed a significant number of motions and that negotiations took a significant amount of time.

Durkin said the agreement was reached with the consent of the victim or victims, and Scofinsky has accepted responsibility. Durkin said he “can follow (the plea agreement) when we come back for sentencing.”

Durkin said Scofinsky will be released from prison after the minimum sentence is complete unless Scofinsky’s conduct in prison is not good and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction “determines you need to remain in prison.” Then the prison system would set a new release date, the judge said.

Scofinsky will be on probation for five years, Durkin said.

Mahoning County Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Hilles handled the plea hearing. The matter was investigated by the Youngstown Police Department.