Farmhand charged with sex crimes

YOUNGSTOWN — A 37-year-old city man went on trial this week on charges that he had consensual sex with a girl who lived at the farm where he worked beginning when the girl was 14.

The trial resumes at 10 a.m. Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for Brian P. Mathews, of Argo Street, who faces 13 charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a third-degree felony.

The charges were filed after an employee at the Canfield-area farm found the girl’s diary in which she wrote graphic descriptions of her alleged sexual encounters with Mathews.

The girl’s father reported the matter to authorities.

The girl, who is now 17, wrote that the encounters began Aug. 1, 2004, and ended May 13, 2006. Jury selection took two days, with the girl’s testimony wrapping up Friday.

If convicted on the charges, Mathews could be sentenced to up to five years on each count.

The case is being heard by Judge Maureen A. Sweeney.