Jury Recommends 20 Years for Convicted Rapist

A man was convicted Thursday on rape and sodomy charges and a jury recommended he be sentenced to 20 years in prison.

According to Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jamey Mills, 29-year-old Marcellus Phagan was convicted of 2nd-degree rape and 2nd degree sodomy, but was acquitted on another 2nd-degree rape charge and a charge of 3rd-degree sodomy.

Mills said Phagan engaged in sex and oral sex with a 13-year-old girl in 2016. 

He will have to register as a sex offender and would have a 5-year conditional discharge when his sentence is completed.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 12.