MARIETTA - Convicted child rapist Daniel A. Keck maintained his innocence during his Monday sentencing, saying he forgives the children, police and prosecutors who conspired against him.
Keck, 43, of 407 Edgewood Drive, Marietta, also vowed to appeal after he was sentenced to 70 years in prison on the 29 child sex crimes for which he was found guilty. His three-week trial ended Sept. 10.
Prior to the imposition of his sentence, Keck rambled for several minutes about God, Jesus Christ and the importance of his faith. He added he wanted to warn others who work with children to be cautious or they could become victims, too.
"I forgive the children who lied on the stand. You know who you are..." Keck said. "And the police and prosecutors - they really crucified me here."
Police arrested Keck in January after a child alleged he had been victimized and a search warrant was executed at Keck's residence. The search revealed video and photographic evidence of abuse. At least five of the victims who were identified testified against Keck.
About 40 people - a full courtroom - listened to Keck as he continued to speak about the injustice of his case. In addition to Keck's parents and a friend, others in attendance included many members of Keck's grand jury panel and his trial jury.
Also present was a victim and the parents of at least two victims. The boy said it was hard to keep quiet when Keck called him a liar.
"I wanted to stand up and yell," the boy said. "It took me two years to (gain the strength) to come forward. But its OK; he'll probably die in prison."
The teen's mother said she was appalled by Keck's talk of faith and forgiveness. She said a person needs to repent before they can be forgiven.
"He mocked God today," she said. "You don't do that."
Police said Keck had posed as a mentor for area children since the early 1990s. They said the man fostered an environment for abuse by making his home something of a boys' club - complete with video games, pornography and few rules. He also took many boys on vacations and bought gifts, they said.
One of the children testified he exchanged sexual favors with Keck for a subscription to an on-line video game.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ruled Keck's residence was subject to forfeiture.
"This house was worse than the cottage in Hansel and Gretel," Lane said in his decision.
Keck and his attorney, Rolf Baumgartel, argued the home should not be forfeited because it was not bought to foster the abuse and it was not necessary for any abuse do have occurred. Baumgartel added the home could be rented or sold to aid in Keck's appeals.
Keck had faced up to 128 1/2 years in prison on his conviction.
During the trial, one of the videos played for jurors contained footage of Keck and a 12-year-old boy, who were both nude and in a bathroom, engaged in a sexual conversation and taking turns posing for the camera.
Keck said making the video was the idea of the 12-year-old who appears in it. He said the boy wanted to make a "Jackass" film, referring to a popular MTV television and movie series where young adults perform stunts and disgusting acts to amuse their friends and the show's audience.
After deliberating for 12 hours over three days, a jury of eight women and four men found Keck guilty of three counts of rape, five counts of gross sexual imposition, two counts of kidnapping, 11 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, six counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor.
