Published: July 04, 2008 10:57 pm      

15 years for rape, sodomy

A Richmond man was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison, along with five years probation on first-degree rape and sodomy charges.

Joshua Ryan Hughley, 20, of 203 McDaniel Drive, pleaded guilty May 12 to raping and sodomizing his 21-year-old, female neighbor in December of last year.

Hughley told Madison Circuit Judge Julia Hylton Adams Thursday that he wanted his victim to know that he was sorry for what he had done.

Adams received letters from Hughley’s friends and family, but also had read letters written by the victim and her family.

“This single act has done great harm to a young woman,” Adams said. “This incident has ruined her life and it has ruined yours.”

Adams said Hughley’s actions obviously were premeditated because he was found with gloves, a gun, a knife and condoms.

“The suspect knocked at the back door of the victim’s home and when the victim answered the door, she allowed the suspect inside the residence,” according to a statement from the Richmond Police Department.

Hughley allegedly told the victim he needed to use a phone. The two knew each other indirectly, said Sgt. Willard Reardon, public information officer for the Richmond Police Department.

“Once in the residence, the suspect produced a gun and knife,” Reardon said. “The suspect used force to sexually assault the victim for approximately 30 minutes while in the residence. After the assault, the suspect left the scene.”

When officers located Hughley at his residence, Reardon said both the handgun and steak knife used in the assault were recovered.

Hughley must serve 85 percent of his sentence, or 12 years nd nine months, because the offense was a violent crime, according to Kentucky law.

Adams advised him as to what procedures he would have to complete now that he was a convicted sex offender.

He must submit a DNA sample and undergo an HIV test, receive treatment while imprisoned and register statewide and nationally as a sex offender.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.