Fairport Harbor man gets 13 years for child sex crimes

A Fairport Harbor man was sentenced Sept. 28 to 13 years in prison for sex crimes against an 8-yearold girl.

After a three-day jury trial in Lake County Common Pleas Court, Damian Square, 32, was found not guilty Aug. 23 of rape.

However, Square was found guilty on two other counts — gross sexual imposition and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance.

After his release, Square must register as a sex offender for 25 years.

Prosecutors said the crimes occurred between Nov. 1, 2014, and Dec. 29, 2015, in Fairport Harbor.

The defendant is a former boyfriend of the alleged victim’s mother and is not the girl’s father.

The girl, who testified in court, told her mother Square had been touching her and attempted to take photos of her. Twenty images of her in a state of nudity — some with the alleged victim’s face visible — were found on Square’s laptop, prosecutors said.

Defense attorney Matthew Bangerter argued there was no medical evidence Square committed a crime, and that the girl may have made up the accusations because she did not like him.

If convicted of rape, Square could have been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The case was heard before Judge John P. O’Donnell.

TRACEY READ — THE NEWS-HERALD Fairport Harbor resident Damian Square, left, is shown when he went on trial Aug. 21 on rape charges. At right is defense attorney Matthew Bangerter.