Thomas Holloway was facing a maximum sentence of 22 years in prison for the two counts that he plead guilty to Monday. Holloway plead guilty to Rape a level three felony with a sentencing guideline between three and 16 years and a level five felony of Child Exploitation with a sentencing guideline between one and six years.
Both charges stem from an incident that happen while Holloway was house sitting a home in Starke County on July 3, 2017.
In an agreement reached between Holloway’s defense and the Starke County prosecutor, Holloway will be sentenced to seven years for the first count with three suspended to be served on probation. The remaining four years will be served on electronically monitored home detention. This will be under the supervision of Michiana Community Corrections while he is residing with his grandparents in Elkhart.
He received two years for the additional count to be served concurrently. He has submitted a DNA sample for the state and will be required to register on the sex offender list.
Holloway admitted to the details of both crimes in open court.
During the sentencing part of the hearing the underage victim was allowed to make a statement which she did.
She recounted what she has been through in the 597 days since the incident. She talked of the mental and emotional toll it has taken on her and her family.
The victim talked of how she has tried to channel the hurt and pain that comes along with being a victim of rape to help other innocent victims. She expressed that every time there was a step in the process it brought back the pain and memories.
In a selfless expression of grace she told Holloway she wanted this, “to change you but not destroy you.”
After the victim statement Holloway apologized to the victim and her family. He also apologized to his family.
Judge Kim Hall expressed that he was reluctant to accept the sentencing agreement based on the seriousness of the crime. The pre-sentencing document that Starke County Community Corrections put together mentioned the several failed drug tests that Holloway had during his electronic monitoring period before the trial.
Hall did agree to the sentencing and cited the victim statement and her desire to be done with the process. Hall didn’t want to further prolong the case and expose her to more pain.
Hall did explain to Holloway that a failed drug test now after sentencing would mean that he would have to serve the seven years incarcerated in prison.
Holloway will receive credit for time he has spent in the Starke County Jail. He was returned to the jail awaiting placement with Michiana Community Corrections.
By Greg Hildebrand, Managing Editor of the Pilot News
