Athens County man sentenced to a minimum of 110 years in prison

Athens County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Lang sentenced Robert Collins, 63, of Glouster to a minimum of 110 years to a maximum of 175.5 years during a hearing Sept. 30. 

The sentence is as follows:

• Count 1: Rape (F1) -  minimum of 10 years to maximum of 25 years;

• Count 2: Rape (F1) - minimum of 10 years to maximum of 25 years;

• Count 3: Rape (F1) - minimum of 10 years to maximum of 25 years;

• Count 4: Rape (F1) - minimum of 10 years to maximum of 25 years;

• Count 5: Corrupting another with drugs (F4) – 18 months;

• Count 6: Rape (F1) - Reagan Tokes indefinite sentence of 11 to 16.5 years with additional 10 years for being a repeat violent offender;

• Count 7: Attempted rape (F2) - 8 years;

• Count 8: Gross sexual imposition (F4) - 18 months;

• Count 9: Intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case (F3) - 36 months;

• Count 10: Tampering with evidence (F3) - 36 months;

• Count 11: Corrupting another with drugs (F4) - 18 months;

• Count 12: Illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance (F2) - 8 years;

• Count 13: Menacing by stalking (F4) - 18 months;

• Count 14: Gross sexual imposition (F4) - 18 months;

• Count 15: Gross sexual imposition (F4) - 18 months;

• Count 16: Attempted gross sexual imposition (F5) – 12 months;

• Count 17: Intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case (F3) - 12 months;

• Count 18: Attempted corrupting another with drugs (F5) - 12 months;

• Count 19: Attempted corrupting another with drugs (F5) - 12 months;

• Count 20: Attempted corrupting another with drugs (F5) - 12 months;

• Count 21: Attempted gross sexual imposition (F5) - 12 months.

This is a total of a minimum of 110 years to a maximum of 175.5 years imprisonment – the maximum possible sentence for each count.

On Sept. 23, following a four-day jury trial, Collins was found guilty of these 21 counts related to the sexual assault of children. The charges stem from the defendant’s grooming of children by providing marijuana, alcohol and vapes to create an opportunity to sexually assault them. 

This case was reported to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office and referred to The Athens County Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation. ACPO Investigator Chuck Love was the prosecuting officer. He was assisted in the investigation by Chief Investigator Jay Barrett, investigators and analysts of the prosecutor’s office, the CAC of Ross County, Sheriff Rodney Smith’s detectives, and with special assistance from the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Southeast Correctional Institution. The case was presented by First Chair Ashley Johnson and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Liz Pepper.

The State of Ohio called 15 witnesses, including nine victims, two Athens County Prosecutor Secret Service officers, and four lay witnesses, in the case presided over by Judge Lang.  

"Liz (Pepper) and Ashley’s (Johnson) work on the prosecution gave these victims voice a megaphone to lead to the conviction,” Athens County Prosecutor Keller J. Blackburn said. “‘You win with people’ to ‘Make our community better,’ and Liz, Ashley, Jay, Chuck, Lauren and all who worked for justice on this matter are some of our best people, and our community is certainly better.  

“Collins should spend the rest of his natural life in prison, never to victimize children again. Too many have been hurt by his horrific actions. May the victims heal, and may he serve his remaining days locked securely away.”