A Meadville man who pleaded no contest to a single felony count of corruption of minors after being charged with performing sexual acts in front of two children received a sentence of nine months to 24 months less one day in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas on Thursday.
The sentence, which likely will result in Dennis Richard Miko Jr., 23, being released by Monday, came with a warning from Judge Mark Stevens regarding the restrictions and requirements that accompany Miko’s pending probation.
“If you come back” due to violations of those conditions, Stevens told Miko, “this deal is off and I’m sending you to state prison. It’s not a gray area.”
At the same time, the judge expressed measured optimism that Miko could avoid that outcome.
“I think you have the ability to be other than this,” Stevens added before again warning Miko. “You are on thin ice going forward.”
In pleading no contest, a defendant does not admit guilt but agrees there is enough evidence to convict if a trial were held. A no contest plea has the same effect for sentencing purposes as pleading guilty.
In charging Miko and Kaitlynn Louise Washburn, 20, last fall, West Mead Township Police Department alleged that the couple performed sexual acts in front of an underage girl and an underage boy on more than one occasion between Jan. 1 and Nov. 22, 2023. The girl was 10 at the time and the boy was 11, according to the arrest affidavit in the case.
After pleading guilty to misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure and corruption of minors, Washburn was sentenced last month to concurrent 24-month terms of probation by Judge Francis Schultz. A felony charge of corruption of minors and a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure were not prosecuted as part of a plea agreement between Washburn and prosecutors.
Miko’s sentence, given his credit for 295 days already served in jail, made him immediately eligible for parole, Stevens noted in imposing the sentence. While it was possible Miko would be released later Thursday, Stevens said the release might not occur until Monday due to administrative requirements and the Independence Day holiday. Miko has been lodged in Crawford County jail since his Sept. 11 arraignment.
In addition to the jail time, Miko was sentenced to 36 months of probation and must pay a $100 fine and court costs. He must also register with Pennsylvania State Police as a Tier I sexual offender, which requires him to appear annually at an approved registration site for 15 years and must comply with all conditions of a required Community Abuse Response Team program for sexual offenders as well as numerous conditions set by the court.
Another felony charge of corruption of minors, two misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, a misdemeanor count of indecent assault and a summary count of harassment against Miko were not prosecuted as part of a March 11 plea agreement with prosecutors.
In sentencing Miko, Stevens called the behavior he was accused of by police in the case “absolutely reprehensible, disgusting, inappropriate, criminal and impactful.”
“Kids should not have to live in an environment where those things are happening,” he continued. “It is known it’s going to leave a lasting impact and potentially affect them for the rest of their lives.”