ST. CLAIRSVILLE – A Bellaire man was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with possibility for parole for the rape of a minor.

Thomas Edward Carson, 47, could be eligible for parole after 18 years, said Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan.

Carson was arrested this past October after Belmont County Sheriff’s detectives began looking into the alleged rape of a 12-year-old.

Flanagan said that Carson likely will not be released from prison, even with eligibility for parole.

“Carson’s criminal history shows an individual that cannot function outside of prison walls,” he said. “As Judge [Chris] Berhalter pointed out, Carson has had a series of criminal offenses for which he has done prior prison sentences.”

Flanagan then noted six prior felonies as well as juvenile and misdemeanor offenses. None, according to Flanagan, included child sexual assault, until now.

Flanagan said that based on a comprehensive investigation by the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that Carson started to have sexual contact with at least one child that was known to him.

“What we do in cases such as these is that we will prepare everything now for the parole board,” Flanagan said. “Therefore, in 18 years, all documents detailing this horrific crime will be in possession of the board. The board will have everything that they need to deny parole if ever Carson becomes eligible. This includes Carson’s numerous criminal violations and prison sentences that occurred before this incident.

“Simply put, Carson should never, ever be released from prison,” he continued. “He was a menace before given his prior theft, gun, and drug charges. Now, he is a child sex abuser. In my opinion, he should never be let out.”

He added that the mother of that child was also prosecuted for an obstructing charge for which she, too, received a prison sentence.

The Department of Job and Family Services and Flanagan’s office filed a complaint in juvenile court to remove all children from the mother’s custody, permanently. Flanagan explained that his office believes that she has forfeited any right to regaining the children in the future, even after her release from custody.

Flanagan said that a ruling on that hearing is pending.

He added that Belmont County Sheriff’s Office detectives Jason Schwarck and Jordan Blumling, members of DJFS, and others deserve significant credit.

“The investigation was so thorough and comprehensive that it allowed for the potential life sentence without the child-victim ever having to testify,” Flanagan said. “A good investigation provides a solid foundation and is important in these cases given the vulnerabilities of the children we deal with in our prosecutions. We are immensely grateful for that level of investigation.”