Ex-trooper’s appeal for new trial after sex crimes conviction denied by appeals court

PREBLE COUNTY — A former Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper convicted of multiple sex crimes will be going to prison after an appeals court denied his request for a new trial after he was convicted on sex charges.

Christopher Ward, 47, was given a three year sentence last May after he was found guilty on three counts of gross sexual imposition and one count of sexual battery. The judge ruled Ward would not have to report to prison until the appeals court rendered its decision on the case.

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Ward’s attorney Steven Hobbs said oral arguments on the appeal happened earlier this fall.

The judge’s guilty verdict on three of five of the gross sexual imposition charges, included the case involving a female victim who was touched inappropriately during a traffic stop on U.S. 35 in January 2015.

That victim, Brittany Crank, said she was OK with being identified and recorded during last May’s sentencing when she spoke to the court.

“This has affected my life for a long time as it has others and their family,” Crank told the judge. “I completely believe this is something that broke many people.”

“This situation makes citizens and their families feel unsafe in their law enforcement,” Crank said.

Crank said she was pleased with Monday’s decision by the court of appeals.

“It feels good knowing that his appeal has been denied in a sense of he can’t hide behind what he’s done anymore. He can’t pretend that it didn’t happen or dismiss it. People know. It can’t be brushed off anymore,” Crank said.

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