Martins Ferry resident Quentin Nathaniel Phillips will spend at least 30 years in prison for raping an 8-year-old earlier this year.

He received the sentence Monday in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.

Phillips, 32, of 1825 Hill St., was seen downloading pornographic pictures of children on a computer in the Martins Ferry Public Library, and a call to the city police resulted in his arrest.

"Because of the alert actions of the library and the investigation conducted by the Martins Ferry Police Department, the nightmare has ended for this young victim and we were able to ensure that there will be no future victims," said Belmont County Prosecutor Christopher Berhalter following imposition of the sentence.

Phillips faced two charges of rape and received 15 years to life on each count. The terms are to run consecutively, which means he won't be out of prison for at least 30 years.

Phillips wiped his eyes as he told Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Sargus, through his attorney Jim Nicholson, that he was extremely remorseful and his only concern was for his victim.

"That is the only reason he decided to plea instead of going to trial - so his victim didn't have to go to trial," Nicholson said.

Phillips also was classified as a sexual offender; if he leaves prison in the future, he is to report within three days to the sheriff of the county in which he will reside.

Also in court was Daniel Lusk of 348 S. Chestnut St., Barnesville, who was sentenced for aggravated burglary, burglary charge and domestic violence.

Lusk was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary, but first he tried to get Sargus to allow him to enter an adult-teen challenge group.

"It has an 85-percent success rate, and he's never been to New Outlook," Trouten said of the program.

However, Yonak objected.

"These programs don't take violent offenders, and this is the third time that he's bit his victim's ear," she said. "All of his violent outbursts are from alcohol abuse. Even the victim said that he's a good father when he's not drugged up or drinking."

Lusk spoke up, saying, "Everything Helen Yonak says is true. I'm guilty of this domestic violence charge but not the others. I beg for mercy. I'm ashamed and embarrassed of my actions."

Although he told the judge he was a good person, she cited previous charges and sentenced him to two years with a stipulation that he get as much counseling as possible.