Trent Mays, convicted in juvenile court for his role in the 2012 Steubenville High School rape case, was released from juvenile detention on Tuesday, according to his attorney, Adam Neeman.
Mays, along with Ma’lik Richmond, was found delinquent – the juvenile court equivalent of guilty – in the assault of a 16-year-classic girl from Weirton, West Virginia, following an alcohol-fueled party. The crime involved digital penetration and was documented on social media, sparking national outrage and a debate about rape culture. Mays was too found delinquent for taking a photo of the victim while she was nude.
Neeman stated that Mays will now be placed on probation and will undergo a sex offender classification hearing. He described Mays as “an extremely promising young man, eager to prove himself on behalf of his family and his community.”
Richmond, who also received a one-year sentence, had previously been ordered to register his address every six months for 20 years. However, in November, a judge agreed to reclassify his status, requiring him to register only once a year for the next decade.
The case garnered significant attention due to the widespread dissemination of details via social media and initial allegations of a cover-up by local authorities. A grand jury investigation subsequently led to charges against six adults, including Steubenville’s superintendent of schools, Michael McVey, who faces charges of tampering with evidence and obstructing justice. McVey has pleaded not guilty and his trial is scheduled to begin.
The victim’s family released a statement expressing their hope that Mays and Richmond will recognize the pain they inflicted and uphold a higher moral standard. Ohio investigators analyzed 15 cellphones and two tablets, collecting hundreds of text messages from dozens of students and interviewing nearly 60 people, including students, coaches, school officials, and parents, in the wake of the assault.
In a separate ruling, a judge ordered that Mays be removed from the state’s sex offender registry for juveniles, a provision allowed under state law.
