BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Battle Creek man may serve up to 100 years in prison after being sentenced in a child rape case.
35-year-old Thomas Swarmes was previously convicted of the crimes last October. He is charged in the case of raping a mentally incapacitated 8-year-old girl in both Battle Creek and Marshall.
He was sentenced Monday to two consecutive sentences of 25 to 50 years in prison. The charges include three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, plus two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Although two of the 25-50 year sentences will be served consecutively, an additional 25-50 year sentence, plus two sentences of 7-15 years were issued. Some of these will also be served consecutively.
Swarmes had lived with the victim and her family at the time of the assaults. His legal team argued that Swarmes was also mentally incapacitated and underdeveloped.
Prosecutors made note that the victim in this case was not the only one, as an additional one testified during the trial. Swarmes is also said to have victims in other states.
