CLEVELAND — Dalontay Edmond-Geiger Sr. has been sentenced to 16-20 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges connected to the kidnapping and assault of a 60-year-old woman who was found alive inside a plastic container.
“I’ve never seen an offense like this in my time on the bench," said Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Hollie L. Gallagher as she announced her decision in the case Thursday afternoon. "I’ve had hundreds of kidnappings, probably hundreds of felonious assaults, never have I seen anything to this magnitude."
We streamed live coverage of the full sentencing hearing, which you can watch in the video below:
The victim attended the sentencing remotely on Zoom where she also took a few moments to address the court prior to the judge announcing her sentence.
“I became the victim of a horrific crime," the victim said. "A crime that included vicious beatings, being held against my will, stabbed and having my arms zip tied, a TV broken over my head, he kicked me in the ribs. …”
She recalled being dragged "up and down stairs and from room to room" while having a broken neck.
“Eventually, this monster -- without any sign of remorse -- stuffed me in a 3x3 tote and closed the lid, which ruined by life as I knew it," she said.
When it came to her thoughts on punishment. She requested the judge give him the maximum sentence possible.
“I feel that he has earned it," she exclaimed.
You can watch her full statement in the video below:
Edmond-Geiger, 31, offered a brief apology as he made the following statement to the courtroom:
“I would like to say I apologize to the victim and their family. I would also like to apologize to my kids and my family as well.”
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office previously told 3News that Edmond-Geiger could face up to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty back on Oct. 31 to one count of felonious assault, one count of kidnapping, one count of tampering with evidence and one count of having weapons under disability.
The case dates back several months when the prosecutor's office reported that Edmond-Geiger picked up the victim and gave her a ride to his residence near West 97th Street and Henley Court in Cleveland.
"On May 2, 2023, the Cleveland Division of Police responded to a welfare check at Edmond-Geiger Sr.’s residence," according to the initial press release from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. "CPD located the victim inside a small plastic container, moaning in pain, on the porch."
She was taken to a hospital for treatment, while Edmond-Geiger was arrested at the scene.
“He physically assaulted her, stabbed her in the arm, zip tied her hands and proceeded to torture her,” according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley called the case "one of the most horrific I've seen."
When Edmond-Geiger was arraigned back on May 15, the judge set bond at $750,000. It’s a moment that resulted in the following exchange:
Edmond-Geiger: “$750,000?”
Judge: “That’s correct, and there’s also a probation hold."
Edmond-Geiger: "OK. Could you all lift the hold and at least let me try to post bond? I don’t think nobody in the courtroom got $750,000.”
Judge: “You’ll have to speak with the judge assigned to this case, which is Judge Hollie Gallagher.”
Edmond-Geiger closed his comments by saying the bond amount was "crazy" before giving a middle finger.