BCI: Another woman provides information regarding investigation into local trooper

PREBLE COUNTY — An additional woman has come forward to provide information regarding the sex case involving Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Christopher Ward, less than a week after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation said they have reason to believe there may be other victims.

“We have heard from one additional woman and the information she provided is currently being investigated,” said David O’Neil, spokesman for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Ward, 44, was indicted on two counts of felony gross sexual imposition and one count of misdemeanor sexual imposition last week.

The charges stem from two incidents, one that allegedly happened in January 2015 and another that happened while he was off duty involving a child victim last March, investigators said.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told News Center 7 last week there may be additional victims.

“We are prepared to use all available resources and are calling on the public to assist us in conducting a thorough investigation,” the attorney general said.

The investigation into the allegations against Ward was kicked off following a referral from Preble County Children’s Services.  The Ohio Attorney General’s Office then took over the investigation from there, after the Preble County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance.

Ward bonded out of jail last week and is expected back in court March 28.

He was placed on administrative duties at the state patrol’s Dayton post as soon as the attorney general’s office started their investigation, the patrol said.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to exercise Chris’ due process rights,” Ward’s attorney Steven Hobbs said.

News Center 7 first told you about the 2015 incident Ward is accused in, when a woman said Ward groped her when he patted her down during a traffic stop on U.S. 35.

“And when he got between my legs, he wouldn’t stop,” the accuser told News Center 7 the day the traffic stop occurred.

This news agency reviewed Ward’s personnel file and it made no mention of the 2015 incident, however multiple sources confirmed there are other records that do reference the allegations.

News Center 7 has requested copies of those documents as well as cruiser camera footage from the traffic stop from the patrol.

The accuser’s mother said in a phone interview that Ward’s arrest comes as a relief.

“Our biggest thing is we don’t want it to happen to anyone else,” she said.

We’re also continuing to try and learn additional details on the incident Ward is accused in while he was off duty.