Ohio prosecutor guilty of coercion, acquitted on sex charge

MARIETTA, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio county prosecutor accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a female kidnapping victim in his office has been convicted of coercion but acquitted of a sex charge.

The Attorney General’s Office, which prosecuted the case, has said the woman was both a witness in one case and a defendant in another.

Attorney General David Yost says Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings was found guilty of coercion Friday but acquitted of sexual imposition.

The trial before an eight-person jury began Monday. Dennis McNamara, Rings’ attorney, called the conviction disappointing and confusing and said it would be appealed.

Sentencing was set for May 16. Rings faces up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.