SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- A Springfield man will serve life in prison on charges stemming from an alleged sexual abuse of a 4-year-old girl and drug use by her 6-year-old sister.

Dale Driscoll, 28, of Clifton Avenue, was sentenced Sept. 17 to serve life without parole - the maximum possible sentence - for raping a 4-year-old girl in February, said Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Andy Wilson. A jury found him guilty of the crime Sept. 15.

In January 2007, state law changed to allow sentencing for a life without parole sentence for rape of a victim under 10, said Wilson.

Due to the victim's age and Driscoll's lengthy criminal history, he was given the maximum sentence.

"When I pulled his rap sheet, it was five feet long," said Wilson.

Driscoll, formerly of Dayton, has served three stints in prison since 2001, according to the Ohio Department of Corrections. His convictions include burglary, numerous drug charges and failure to comply with an order from a police officer, according to Montgomery and Clark county court records.

Driscoll and other adult males were believed to be running a drug operation out of the girl's home, said Wilson. In February, Driscoll and another male, whom police are still searching for, took the girl to a bathroom where they raped her.

The girl complained of pain to a friend of the family the next day and was taken to a hospital where a medical examination revealed she had recently been abused, according to court documents. The girl identified Driscoll.

Police went to the home where they found guns, cocaine and the victim's 6-year-old sister who tested positive for crack cocaine, said Wilson.

The girls' mother, 24, served six months in prison for possession of drugs and child endangering, according to court records.

Both girls are living with another relative, said Wilson.

Driscoll's attorney could not be reached for comment.

(Article courtesy of www.SpringfieldNewsSun.com)