The Ohio Court of Appeals has upheld the classification of Dwayne E. Lorton as a sexual predator. This decision affects Lorton, who was convicted of multiple counts of rape, and it reinforces the legal standards used to classify offenders under Ohio law.

The case, State v. Lorton (Case No. 10-25-12), stems from Lorton’s 2009 conviction for raping a minor. The court's ruling on June 15, 2026, confirms that Lorton will remain classified as a sexual predator, requiring him to register every 90 days for life.

Background

Dwayne E. Lorton was indicted by a Mercer County Grand Jury on four counts of rape, with the offenses occurring between 2005 and 2007. He entered no contest pleas to these charges as part of a plea agreement, which limited his prison sentence to a maximum of 20 years. The trial court accepted his pleas and sentenced him in August 2009.

During the sentencing, the court classified Lorton as a Tier III sex offender under the laws in effect at that time, which required him to register in person every 90 days and comply with lifetime notification requirements. However, in 2011, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that applying the 2008 sex offender laws retroactively was unconstitutional. This led to the enactment of R.C. 2950.021 in 2024, allowing offenders like Lorton to seek reclassification under the pre-2008 standards.

The Ruling

In December 2024, Lorton filed a motion to vacate his classification as a Tier III sex offender, arguing that he was wrongfully classified and should be reclassified using the pre-2008 system. A hearing was held in June 2025, where the court reviewed the stipulations regarding the facts of the case.

The trial court ultimately determined that Lorton should be classified as a sexual predator, finding that he was likely to commit future sexually oriented offenses. Judge John R. Willamowski stated in the opinion, "The factual findings of the trial court are presumed to be correct," emphasizing that the court's decision was based on competent and credible evidence.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for Lorton and others in similar situations. By affirming the sexual predator classification, the court reinforces the importance of evaluating the likelihood of reoffending when determining an offender's classification. Lorton's case highlights the complexities involved in applying sex offender laws and the necessity for courts to adhere to statutory guidelines.

The decision also serves as a precedent for future cases involving reclassification under the new laws, ensuring that courts consider all relevant factors when determining the appropriate classification for sexual offenders.

What's Next

As of now, Lorton has the option to appeal this decision, but details regarding any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. There are no related cases pending that were mentioned in the opinion.