Man, 61, sentenced to life in prison for raping 6-year-old girl in his car

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - An Ohio man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping and assaulting a child last year.

Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich announced 61-year-old Walter Jenkins’ sentence after he was found guilty of raping a 6-year-old multiple times in 2025 while she was in his car.

Authorities said Jenkins also showed the child pornographic material.

The 61-year-old was designated a Tier 3 sex offender, which requires him to register every 90 days with the local sheriff for the rest of his life if he is ever released from prison.

Jenkins charges included:

• 2 counts of rape, both first-degree felonies
• 2 counts of gross sexual imposition – both third-degree felonies
• 1 count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth-degree felony.

Jenkins will be eligible for parole after 15 years.