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2 sent to prison over home invasion

A Belpre man and a Parkersburg man will each spend the next four years in prison for their parts in a Belpre armed robbery last January.

Zachary T. Ratliff, 21, of 601 Barclay St., Belpre, and James D. Ault, 20, of 2215 14th Ave., Parkersburg, were sentenced in Washington County Common Pleas Judge Randall Burnworth’s court Thursday.

Both pleaded guilty on Dec. 23 to three first-degree felonies; aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and kidnapping. The pair will serve concurrent four-year prison terms for each offense and were also sentenced to five years of mandatory post-release control.

Both declined the opportunity to speak at their sentencings Thursday.

The pair joined Aaron Ratliff, 22, of 601 Barclay St., Belpre, and William “Billy” L. Mitchell, 19, of 3261 School House Road, Little Hocking, in the home invasion of 2509 Valley View Drive, Belpre. Jon Bettinger, his teenage son Justin Wiley and three other juvenile victims were held at gun- and knife-point and robbed of $300 to 400 and marijuana on Jan. 28 of last year.

Both Aaron Ratliff and Mitchell also pleaded guilty to their parts in the robbery last month.

“The family is still suffering from the psychological trauma of the event,” said Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings. “They are still having nightmares and don’t feel safe in their own home.”

According to the affidavit of facts provided to the court by Patrolman J.J. Whittington of the Belpre Police Department, the four broke into the home wearing masks, yelling and brandishing guns, knives and machetes.

The four proceeded up to the second floor of the home where a fight broke out between the defendants and two of the juvenile victims and a shot was fired.

Jon Bettinger informed Belpre police that when he heard the gunshot he ran from his room to see what was going on. Mitchell then pointed a pistol at Bettinger’s stomach and stated that he would kill him.

“He then shot the wall to prove a point,” said Rings. “So we’re pursuing more time for Mr. Mitchell than the rest of the defendants and he’s being sentenced separately.”

The four then held everyone in the residence saying they would shoot and cut the victims if their demands for money and marijuana weren’t followed.

One juvenile was then separated from the group and taken upstairs to hand over the marijuana and money while the others were held as leverage.

Mitchell was identified because he removed his mask and was recognized by the victims.

The rest were identified by voice, build and by association with Mitchell, according to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Aaron Ratliff’s sentencing was continued Thursday and he will appear for sentencing in Burnworth’s court Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. Mitchell will appear for sentencing at 2 p.m. on Feb. 9.

 

At a glance

¯ Zachary T. Ratliff, 21, of 601 Barclay St., Belpre, was sentenced to four years in prison and five years of community control Thursday.

¯ James D. Ault, 20, of 2215 14th Ave., Parkersburg, was sentenced to four years in prison and five years of community control Thursday.

¯ Both Ratliff and Ault pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and kidnapping, a first-degree felony, on Dec. 23.

¯ The pair were part of a four-man armed home invasion on Jan. 28 in Belpre last year.

¯ Aaron Ratliff, 22, of 601 Barclay St., Belpre and William “Billy” L. Mitchell, 19, of 3261 School House Road, Little Hocking, also pleaded guilty to their parts in the invasion. Their sentencings will take place on Jan. 10 and Feb. 9, respectively.

Source: County Prosecutor’s Office.

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