Former Central Michigan University Student Government President Ian Elliott will spend up to 15 years in prison for the rape of two women.
Originally dropped by the Isabella County prosecutor, Rachel Wilson’s case against Elliott for an August 2016 rape was eventually re-opened by the state Attorney General’s office.
Since then, another woman, Landrea Blackmore came forward with accusations against Elliott as well.
Friday he was sentenced after a plea agreement and the two women were able to speak directly to him.
“This has been a very, very long fight and it has taken it’s toll on both of us but today is a huge victory,” says Wilson.
Freedom was handed out Friday in the Isabella County Courthouse but not to the defendant but instead the survivors.
“Today the sentences you and I had served will be over and in Elliott’s will begin” said Wilson to Blackmore.
“ feel like any victim has the right, once someone is convicted, to look them in the eye and say whatever you want,” says Wilson. “I refuse to allow him to violate me and get away with it.”
“Ian picked the strongest, most resilient women to mess with” says Blackmore.
The two gave their victim impact statements before Judge Eric Janes sentenced Elliott to 366 days to 15 years in prison.
“I don’t think that’s enough time, says Blackmore, “But at this point Rachel and I had just decided we’re tired and we want to move on with our lives.”
These two women know it wasn’t about the jail time, it was about being free while their attacker is not.
“Today is like a huge major victory,” says Wilson, “But even if today hadn’t happened, we had won.”
Elliott will go up for parole after the first 366 days in prison and the board will decide how much longer he stays in prison after that.
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