Youngstown woman learns fate in child rape case
A Youngstown woman has learned her fate Tuesday when she was sentenced for her role in a child rape case.
Forty-two-year-old Susan Molleken was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of post-release control on one felony count of rape. She also must register as a tier 3 sex offender once she's released.
This sentence was in line with the prosecution's recommendation with Judge Anthony D'Apolito handing down the sentence stating the victim felt it was the most appropriate sentence.
"It's not necessarily because there is a right or wrong number. ... It's that this is what the victim approved. And if she feels that that is justice, then that to me is justice," Judge D'Apolito said.
Meanwhile, Molleken's attorney Lynn Maro asked for a lighter sentence stating that Molleken was emotionally and psychologically abused by co-defendant 44-year-old Christopher Figueroa at the time and that she had also been abused as a child and had a lack of parental guidance.
"[Figueroa] had key stroke counters on the computers. She was not allowed to send emails or reach out for help. He had control of her phone. Every time she tried to get a phone privately, he would find and destroy it, ... he controlled all means of communications and finance. She had no independence," Maro said.
However, Judge D'Apolito said while he could understand how everything happened, he could not understand how Molleken let it happen.
"You were on a path that there was a high probability that your life would involve some confusion, some difficulty dealing with sexuality boundaries and perimeters. I can understand that. But what I don't understand how you let that world encompass [the victim.] How you let [the victim] suffer the way you suffered," Judge D'Apolito said.
Prosecutors say the victim was "terrified" to show up in the courtroom, but prepared a written statement for the court detailing the sexual conduct and how she felt pressured into participating in it.
Molleken herself addressed the court in tears and apologized for her actions.
A grand jury indicted Molleken and Figueroa of Campbell, in January of last year.
According to the indictment, the charges against Figueroa date back to incidents involving a juvenile between 2016 and 2021.
Thirteen more counts for Figueroa were added for incidents dating between 2006 and 2023. Molleken was indicted on four rape counts for incidents dating between 2006 and 2013.
According to the indictment, the first victim was between the ages of 12 and 17 during the alleged incidents and the second victim was between the ages of six and 22.
The prosecution says the evidence only connected Molleken with one of the two victims.
Figueroa, who pleaded guilty to two counts rape, will be sentenced on September 12. Prosecutors are recommending a 20 year sentence for Figueroa.