Butte man gets 100-year terms for rape

BUTTE – A 35-year-old Butte man found guilty in March of two felony counts of raping two girls ages 7 and 8 has been sentenced to two 100-year prison terms with 50 years suspended.

Loyd E. Mederos on Friday was ordered to serve the sentences at the same time.

The 12-member jury deliberated for a little more than two hours before convicting Mederos in March after a four-day trial during which the two girls testified while clutching teddy bears.

Butte District Judge Brad Newman ordered the sentence. In July he rejected a request for a new trial by Mederos, who contended the state failed to present sufficient evidence and that the young victims’ testimony and taped interviews were inconsistent.