Judge finds former Ohio state trooper guilty of sex charges

EATON, Ohio (AP) — A former Ohio state trooper accused of sex crimes against five women in the course of his work and against a minor female was found guilty Monday of charges including sexual battery.

A judge in Preble County found Christopher Ward guilty of one count of sexual battery and three counts of gross sexual imposition, according to a release from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The release said Ward was found guilty on charges involving four of his accusers. He 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, 45, pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him. A message seeking comment was left for his attorney Monday.

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 after more accusers came forward.