Sex offender gets three years in prison

YOUNGSTOWN — A West Side man has been sentenced to three years in prison after a jury convicted him of gross sexual imposition against an 11-year-old girl.

Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence today on Willis Smith, 41, who has addresses on West Heights and Donald avenues.

The third-degree felony indictment says Smith fondled the child’s genitals Sept. 6, 2012.

The jury’s verdict came Friday after 21⁄2 days of deliberations at the end of a weeklong trial.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com