Former principal faces charges in sex abuse case

RAVENNA (AP) -- A retired elementary school principal has been charged with sexual offenses involving two children.
Dennis W. Ferguson, 61, of Kent, was indicted last month on 25 counts of gross sexual imposition, Portage County Prosecutor Victor V. Vigluicci said. Each of the third-degree felony counts could carry a prison sentence of one to five years.
Five charges involve an 11-year-old from March 1, 2002, to March 1 of this year, Vigluicci said. The remaining 20 charges involve a 7-year-old from April 1, 1998, to Oct. 1, 1998, the prosecutor said. Their genders weren't disclosed.
Vigluicci said the reported offenses were unrelated to Ferguson's tenure in the Streetsboro school system. Ferguson retired from his job as principal of Wait Primary Elementary in June 1995 after 22 years in the school system, Superintendent Thomas M. Giovangnoli said.
A review of Ferguson's personnel file showed no indication of concern by administrators, Giovangnoli said.
Ferguson was arrested Tuesday night by officers from the New Wilmington, Pa., Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police, New Wilmington Chief Carmen D. Piccirillo said. He was being held Friday in the Lawrence County jail to await extradition to Ohio.