Ohio Trooper Guilty Of Sexual Battery, Imposition

EATON, OH — A former Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was found guilty of sexual battery and gross sexual imposition on Monday. Prosecutors said the trooper was accused of separate sex crimes.

Trooper Christopher Ward was accused of inappropriately touching a woman he pulled over, inappropriately touching an intern and grabbing a teenage girl as she slept in his daughter's bed. Ward denied all of the accusations.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol fired Ward shortly after the charges against the trooper were announced.

After a trial in Preble County Common Pleas Court, Ward was found guilty. He will be sentenced on Jan. 16, 2020. During the sentencing, the judge will determine if Ward is also guilty of a sexually violent predator specification associated with sexual battery charges.

Ward was investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations after they received a tip from Peble County Child Services, according to WHIO. In early 2019, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office announced it was investigating Ward for his behavior while working for the Highway Patrol and his actions off-duty. He was initially accused of having forced sexual contact with an adult, while working, on Jan. 17, 2015. He was also accused of having sexual contact with a minor while off-duty on March 17, 2018. Additional charges were added after Yost asked the public to come forward with any other accusations.

The former trooper was prosecuted by the Ohio Attorney General's Office.