Tribune Chronicle
WARREN - A Newark man was sentenced to a year in prison Monday for sexual battery of a 16-year-old girl last year.
Evan A. McKenna, 44, had remained free on $50,000 bond until Monday's sentencing. He pleaded guilty to the third-degree felony charge of sexual battery a month ago. Another third-degree felony charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor was dismissed in exchange for the plea.
McKenna told Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Peter Kontos that he realized he had caused irreparable harm to the victim.
He was labeled a Tier 3 sex offender, requiring him to register quarterly with authorities for the rest of his life after he is released from prison.
Assistant County Prosecutor Michael Burnett said allegations were made during McKenna's trip to Trumbull County on business. His hometown of Newark is about 40 miles east of Columbus.
The indictment states that McKenna was in a position of authority at the time of the crime in June 2007, when Burnett said the defendant had sex with the teenager who was traveling with him. Both were staying at a room in a Niles motel, where the girl was given alcohol, Burnett said.
Third-degree felonies carry a penalty of between one and five years in prison.
The girl later told her boyfriend what happened and he told authorities, Burnett said.