Michael Kollat gets probation on prostitution charges

WARREN — Michael Kollat, 21, of Risher Road was sentenced to five years’ probation Thursday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court after pleading guilty to one count of compelling prostitution and one count of promoting prostitution.

Prosecutors said Kollat prostituted a 17-year-old female at motels in the Warren-Howland and Niles areas during 2014.

In court before Judge Ronald Rice, the female, now 18, said she is Kollat’s girlfriend, that she is not a victim and asked that Kollat not go to prison. Prosecutors, conversely, asked for Kollat to get prison time.

A drug investigation by the Trumbull Ashtabula Group Law Enforcement Task Force uncovered the criminal activity, and TAG filed the charges against Kollat.

The charges included allegations that Kollat drove the girl to and from the sexual encounters and otherwise facilitated the acts, said Gabe Wildman, an assistant county prosecutor.