Swiergosz gets 40 years in jail

DOWNTOWN TOLEDO (WUPW) - DOWNTOWN TOLEDO (WUPW) -- Michael Swiergosz was sentenced to 40 years in prison Monday afternoon in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for kidnapping and raping his ex-wife during an April 2009 hostage standoff in West Toledo.

The 47-year-old was also sentenced in December 2009 to seven years in prison for an standoff with police and his ex-wife on March 10, 2009, at his home in Springfield Township.

In all, the Springfield Township man will be 94 years old in 2057 when he is released from prison.

He was looking at 80 years combined for both 2009 incidents.

After the sentence proceedings were adjourned, County Prosecutor Dean Mandros said Judge Denise Ann Dartt had incorrectly calculated Sweirgosz's sentence. Judge Dartt sentenced Swiergosz to 44 years in jail, but it is actually 40 years.

"It's clear that you're disturbed," Judge Dartt said, who added this was one of the most troubling cases she sat through.

The common pleas court judge described Swiergosz as obsessed with his wife and felt he had no regard for his children. He only was concerned about himself.

Before Judge Dartt handed down the 40-year sentence, Swiergosz made a statement.

"I lived my life as a faithful husband and father for 46 years," he said. "I let what was happening get the best of me and for that I am truly sorry. All I want is for the opportunity to be a good father."

The prosecution felt the sentence was appropriate and will keep Barb Swiergosz safe from her ex-husband.

"The judge recognized he has a fixation on his ex-wife," Mandros said. "He tried to kill her and subject himself to ... in the future."

Barb Swiergosz spoke before sentencing, but didn't want to be recorded. In her statement she said she still has images of blood dripping down her body as her ex-husband raped her and threatened to kill her.

Barb Swiergosz said her children haven't been the same since the two hostage situations.

Michael Swiergosz will appeal.

FOX Toledo News reporter Michelle Zepeda contributed to this report