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WARREN -- William Fisher, who was convicted of sex crimes against multiple children that span multiple decades, will remain in prison for atleast the next 10 years.
The 73-year-old Fisher is incarcerated in North Central Correctional Institution in Marion. Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins has dubbed the man a "multigenerational" sexual predator who was imprisoned and released, only to reoffend.
This week, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority informed Watkins that Fisher's bid for freedom was denied following an interview in August with parole board members.
Fisher will have his next parole hearing in June 2033, according to the state corrections website.
In 1978, Fisher forced a 4-year-old family member to perform a sex act, and he was caught by his wife. Charged with rape, Fisher pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition and served three months in prison.
In 1987, Fisher was charged with three counts of rape with the same girl and another count of rape with another child relative when the family lived on Homewood Avenue SE. After indictment, Fisher left the area and assumed another identity.
In 1993, Fisher returned to the area using the name James Watters. He began having sex with a 6-year-old, an 11-year-old and 12-year-old, according to records.
Fisher admitted to having sex with another teen relative in 1977, when he was 28.
Fisher was arrested Feb. 14, 1995, in Hilton Head, S.C., but made a brief appearance in Howland on Jan. 28 of that year when he presented a false driver's license with the Watters alias and fled.
Authorities learned the man's real name was Fisher when they compared the photo on the phony license to a photo on file with Warren police.
During his time on the run, Fisher befriended a local family on Oak Street SW and eventually was charged with having sex with an underage girl.
Prosecutors at the time said the victim's mother watched while her husband and Fisher had sex with the 9-year-old girl.
The girl's father also was convicted and later died in prison.