RAVENNA − At least two men accused of sexually assaulting three underage girls at a men’s Kent apartment are headed to prison.
Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge Becky Doherty sentenced Ramone J. Hayes, 40, to 18 months in prison, and Yonny Z. Muhammad, 26, to two years behind bars June 22.
Doherty also determined Hayes is a Tier II sex offender, which will require him to register with the sheriff of any county where he lives every six months for 25 years. Muhammad was ruled a Tier III sex offender, which will require him to register every 90 days for life.
The case against the third defendant, Durell L. Carter, 24, is still pending.
The incidents took place April 26-27, 2025, at a Silver Meadows Boulevard apartment, according to court records. Carter is accused of sexually assaulting a girl who was 17 at the time, while Hayes and Muhammad sexually assaulted 16-year-old girls.
The men were also accused of giving the girls alcohol.
Court records indicate the three men were living in the apartment at the time, but they now show Cleveland addresses for Hayes and Muhammad and a Warrensville Heights address for Carter.
During Hayes’ sentencing, Prosecutor Mitchell Rozaieski said Hayes expressed “some kind of remorse for his actions” in a written statement.
“However, he does a fair share of victim blaming, as well,” Rozaieski said.
Attorney Paul J. Siegferth Jr., who represented Hayes during his sentencing, said Hayes “takes full responsibility” for what happened.
“He wishes none of this ever happened,” said Siegferth.
He said the closest thing he has found to a criminal history for Hayes is an operating a vehicle under the influence charge in 2011.
“I just want to apologize,” said Hayes.
Doherty told Hayes that because he is so much older than the other participants, he should have known better.
“You were engaging in this activity and I don’t believe you cared the girls were underage,” she told Hayes, adding, “This cannot be ignored or overlooked.”
Rozaieski said Muhammad’s written statement showed no remorse or concern for the girls.
“My jaw kind of dropped at the lack of responsibility,” he said.
Eugene Fehr, Muhammad’s attorney, however, said he believes Muhammad was the first of the defendants to express remorse.
“Yonny sometimes has an inabilility in expressing himself in the best way,” Fehr said before adding, “He does, I believe, regret the whole thing.”
He said Muhammad has no prior felony record.
Muhammad said, “I just want to apologize if I offended.”
Doherty said she understands that people sometimes have trouble expressing themselves, but he still needs to be held accountable.
Muhammad previously pleaded guilty to third-degree felony sexual battery and fourth-degree felony gross sexual imposition. In a plea deal, the lesser charge was amended down from first-degree felony rape.
Hayes previously pleaded guilty to third-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and fourth-degree felony gross sexual imposition. In a plea deal, the third-degree felony was amended down from rape.
Carter is currently scheduled for a July 8 pretrial hearing.
Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: 2 men headed to prison for Kent sex assaults of teen girls
Reporting by Jeff Saunders, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
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By Jeff Saunders, Ravenna Record-Courier | USA TODAY Network
