A Greensburg man in prison for raping a teen-aged boy lost a legal appeal claiming his potential century-long sentence was excessive.
Kenneth Richie, 64, pleaded guilty in 2013 to nine counts, including rape, in connection with sexual assaults against a 15-year-old boy in April 2011.
Greensburg police said Richie developed a friendship with teen, and then took him to his home, where he raped the boy. Richie paid the teen $6.50 for “being a good victim” and later threatened the boy’s life, according to police.
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rita Hathaway sentenced Richie in 2014 to two consecutive 25-to-50-year prison sentences, for a total of 50 to 100 years’ incarceration.
In a ruling Thursday, Hathaway said Richie’s appeal was filed too late and that there was no basis to challenge sentences.
The Greensburg case was the third time Richie had been convicted of sex crimes.
According to court records, Richie was convicted in 1979 of having sexual contact with an 11-year-old boy and served a three- to six-year prison sentence. In 1983, Richie was convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl and was sentenced to 3 –⁄2 to eight years in prison.
