Over a period of 21 years, from 1998 to 2019, the 57-year-old Greene committed a series of sexual offenses against his students at the Cleveland School of the Arts and Cuyahoga Community College.
Terence Greene, a former dance instructor in Cleveland, has been handed a nearly four-century prison sentence this week for his heinous crimes against children
The scope of his despicable actions was revealed during a week-long trial in late May, where he was found guilty of a total of 65 crimes.
The charges against Greene included 16 counts of rape, 25 counts of sexual battery, 13 counts of kidnapping, eight counts of felonious assault, two counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, and one count of gross sexual imposition. However, he was acquitted on certain charges, including two counts of rape, four counts of sexual battery, and one count each of gross sexual imposition, kidnapping, and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Kevin Kelley, in a sentencing ruling on Thursday, handed down a staggering punishment of 365 years in prison for Greene. The judge highlighted the severity of the crimes committed, stating that the sentence reflected the gravity of the situation.
Greene’s abusive actions impacted eight victims over the course of three decades, with their ages ranging from 14 to 17 years old at the time of the abuse
Another victim, the ninth, chose not to pursue the case after the crimes were reported to the police in June 2020. Greene was subsequently arrested in August 2021, and a month later, a 74-count indictment was brought against him.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the assaults occurred in various locations, including the dance school dressing room, school-sponsored events within and outside the state, Greene’s car, and his residence in Cleveland. Judge Kelley, acknowledging the impact on the victims and their families, emphasized the significance of the court’s decision in delivering justice for the crimes committed.
The severe sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting children from predators and ensuring that perpetrators face the full weight of the law for their heinous actions.
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