Piqua man pleads guilty to raping 5-year-old

PIQUA — A previously convicted sex offender faces up to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty Thursday, Nov. 10, to two felony charges of rape of a 5-year-old boy.

William Thomas Baker, 44, of Piqua and formerly of Troy, initially was charged in September with 10 felony counts of rape.

A report by Troy police said a Piqua police detective contacted them Sept. 7 about a possible rape involving Baker that allegedly occurred in Troy.

Police reported Baker told them that evening the initial contact with the child was “accidental” but that later incidents were not. The alleged abuse took place between June and August in Troy, according to the charges.

As part of a plea deal, Baker waived a Miami County grand jury hearing in Common Pleas Court on Thursday and pleaded to two first-degree felony counts of rape.

As part of the agreement, prosecutors will not file additional charges from the incidents, Judge Christopher Gee was told.

Baker previously was convicted of sex offenses against a 10 year old and served four years in prison prior to release in 2005.

Gee explained to Baker that he faces up to 10 years to life on each of the two charges. If a consecutive sentence is ordered at the Dec. 27 sentencing, he could receive up to 20 years to life in prison.

Baker also will be classified as a Tier III sex offender requiring lifetime registration of his address with the sheriff’s office every 90 days after prison release.

Gee accepted Baker’s guilty pleas and ordered a presentence investigation.