Randy Ballard, 29, of Warren, is sentenced to eight months in prison for a gross sexual imposition conviction. At right is his attorney, Carlo Ciccone.

WARREN — A Warren man was sentenced to eight months in prison Wednesday on a fourth-degree felony connected to the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl.

Randy T. Ballard, 29, of Fifth Street SW, made no statement as Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge W. Wyatt McKay labeled him a Tier 1 sexual offender. That means after his prison term, Ballard will have to register his address with the sheriff’s office once per year for the next 15 years.

Ballard was accused of assaulting the daughter of his live-in girlfriend, according to prosecutors. The case was investigated beginning in October 2021 by Warren police.

The mother of the victim told the judge that Ballard had lived with her and her daughter for six years and had gained their trust.

“He violated and manipulated her and had stolen my daughter’s innocence,” the mother said.

Ballard’s attorney, Carlo Ciccone, said his client pleaded guilty on Oct. 26 “to “clear a troubled conscience.”

“He took responsibility, now he is here to take his punishment,” Ciccone said.

Ballard’s plea deal headed off a scheduled Nov. 7 trial in the case.