Jury finds man guilty on 11 sex charges
Panel could not decide on 17 rape counts
WARREN — A Trumbull County jury on Friday found Danny F. McFadden guilty of 11 charges of gross sexual imposition, but could not reach a verdict on the remaining 17 rape charges after about 14 hours of deliberation.
The case involved the sexual abuse of a young female relative, along with two other victims.
Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice asked the jury foreman if they believed they could reach a consensus on the outstanding counts, but the foreman indicated they would not be able to do so.
Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman called it a “mixed verdict” but a “good day,” saying that he believes jurors “believed our victims.”
Defense attorney Edward Hartwig thanked jurors for their “thorough review” of the charges and praised co-counsel Joseph Ohlin for delivering closing arguments. McFadden, 76, will be sentenced Dec. 16 and faces about 45 years in prison.
The verdict came after jurors deliberated late into Thursday evening without reaching a consensus on the 28 charges overall. They reconvened at 9:30 a.m. Friday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
The four-day trial featured emotional testimony from a 12-year-old girl who said McFadden, a man she’s known her entire life, molested her starting at age 5. She described the abuse escalating over seven years to include oral sex, with McFadden allegedly threatening to displace her and her siblings if she disclosed it.
The incidents occurred two to three times weekly in homes and vehicles during babysitting or transport to activities, according to her account.
The girl’s parents testified to their shock upon learning of the allegations in May, with the mother recalling feeling “sick” and the father briefly passing out. A former nanny described observing “inappropriate” hugs and touches by McFadden.
Prosecutors presented a video of the girl’s forensic interview and an hour-long police questioning of McFadden, who denied any wrongdoing and suggested the child had a history of lying. A nurse practitioner testified to finding a vaginal infection consistent with possible assault. McFadden did not take the stand.
