EATON, Ohio (AP) — A former Ohio state trooper convicted of sex crimes against several women in the course of his work and against a minor female has been sentenced to three years in prison.
A judge handed down the term Wednesday but also said Christopher Ward, 45, will not go to prison yet due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. It’s not clear when he might start serving his sentence.
In a ruling issued last December, a judge in Preble County found Ward guilty of one count of sexual battery and three counts of gross sexual imposition. Ward was found guilty on charges involving four of his accusers, but was found not guilty of one count of sexual battery and two counts of gross sexual imposition.
Prosecutors had argued that the former state trooper from Eaton used his position of authority to sexually abuse the women.
Ward was initially charged in February over allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with an adult in 2015 and a minor in 2018. He was indicted on additional charges in November 2019 after more accusers came forward.