Hearing Found Guilty

In Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Fleegle convicted a man on multiple counts of child sexual abuse.

In a bench trial, Robert Hearing was found guilty of eight counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor for taking and sending graphic photos of a child under the age of 10. He was also convicted of gross sexual imposition for having sexual contact with the child and rape of a child under 10.

The crimes occurred in July 2021.

Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said the only possible sentence allowed by law in this case due to the victim’s age is life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing will occur at a later date.