New Waterford man’s trial starts

LISBON — A man went on trial Monday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court on charges that he had sexual contact with a young girl.

Vernon E. Ballard, 33, of West Main Street, New Waterford, is charged with gross sexual imposition and failure of a sexually oriented offender to register his residence with authorities. Both charges are third-degree felonies.

Ballard is accused of having a girl, then age 7, who was living in a nearby apartment, touch him May 18, 2007.

Ballard had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual battery, which required him to register his residence with the county sheriff’s office within five days of moving into the apartment.

Earlier this year, Judge David Tobin, who is hearing the case, ruled that a statement Ballard made to New Waterford police could not be used. Judge Tobin said the statement violated Ballard’s Constitutional rights to due process.

Ballard pleaded guilty to a sexual battery charge, a third-degree felony, in 2002. He had originally been charged with rape, a first-degree felony. Judge Tobin sentenced him to three years in prison and denied Ballard’s request for early release.