Anthony Castello Jr. Sentenced to Life in Prison for Child Sex Abuse

Bellefontaine – A Lakeview man was sentenced to life in prison for sexually molesting a child under the age of 10 in Logan County Common Pleas Court on Thursday. Anthony J. Castello Jr., 63, pled guilty to one count of rape involving a victim under the age of 13 on April 13, 2023.

Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart reports that the offense happened in August of 2019. Castello lured the child victim to his home on Mohawk Path in Lakeview with a promise of ice cream before he sexually assaulted the child. He then let the child leave. Later that night, the child woke her mother up and told her what happened. The parent reported the incident to law enforcement and the child was examined by a forensic examiner. Castello’s DNA was found on the child’s underwear.

Castello fled Ohio when he learned a report had been made to the Sheriff’s Office, but was apprehended in Virginia where he was wanted on a parole violation. The Logan County Prosecutor’s Office obtained a Governor’s Warrant to extradite him back to Ohio, but the Commonwealth of Virginia held him on that state’s charges until January of 2023.

At the sentencing hearing, the child’s mother told the court that her child was incredibly brave for waking her up in the middle of the night and telling her what had happened. She called Castello “a monster” who stole her child’s innocence, which can never be restored.

Castello apologized in court and said he was very sorry. He stated that he didn’t know why he did it.

Prosecutor Stewart believes the life sentence was justified for Castello’s horrific actions. He commended the victim and the child’s family for the quick action they took which helped law enforcement build a strong case against Castello. Sgt. Donnie Day, Detective Mike Brugler and Detective Doug Mitchell with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

*Photo and Press Release obtained from Logan County Prosecutor’s Office Facebook Page