Ex-board member sentenced in sex case
Robert Freeze pleads no contest to sexual imposition and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
SPRINGFIELD — A former Northwestern Local Board of Education member will spend 30 days in jail after pleading no contest to sexual imposition and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
Robert Freeze, 57, of 4995 Penny Pike, was sentenced Wednesday, May 7, to eight months in jail, five years probation and a $1,500 fine.
Extras
Clark County Common Pleas Judge Richard O'Neill suspended all but 30 days of the jail time and ordered Freeze to turn himself in Friday morning.
Freeze pleaded no contest to the charges April 22.
A plea bargain was struck in part because some witnesses in the case recanted statements they made to police, said Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Andy Wilson.
"We're always disappointed when we have to take a sex offense from a felony to a misdemeanor," Wilson said. "I thought the judge did a fantastic job of crafting a sentence that adequately addresses the charges (Freeze) was faced with."
Defense attorney Michael Catanzaro said his client pleaded no contest because he wanted to put the case behind him.
"He has suffered ridicule and scorn in this community," said Catanzaro. "He wants his family to heal."
Freeze was originally charged with three felonies — sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
Freeze had been accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old male relative, according to court documents.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360
or vlough@coxohio.com.
