Man accused of molesting minor pleads to endangering children


Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A man accused of inappropriately touching a family member pleaded guilty to endangering children Monday.

A Mahoning County grand jury in October 2015 indicted Kenneth Mercer, 44, of Lowellville, on six counts of gross sexual imposition.

The alleged sexual contact took place between 2010 and 2014 when the victim was 10 to 14 years old.

Acknowledging that both the prosecution and defense had issues with their case, the parties agreed to a deal in which Mercer would plead guilty to two counts of child endangering.

Prosecutors called the deal a reasonable resolution to the case, which was set to go to trial Monday.

The alleged sexual contact occurred while the victim was fully clothed, and the victim made no accusations of rape, prosecutors said.

Both parties agreed to a sentence of 180 days in jail and a no-contact order prohibiting Mercer from interacting with the victim, who no longer resides in Ohio.

Judge Lou A. D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court indicated that, barring new information, he would follow those recommendations in Mercer’s sentencing at 9 a.m. Sept. 28.

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