Sylvania Twp. firefighter pleads guilty after sting operation arrest

James P. Thompson

A Sylvania Township and Bedford Township firefighter arrested in an undercover prostitution sting pleaded guilty today to a reduced charge in Perrysburg Municipal Court.

James P. Thompson, 49, of Temperance was then found guilty of disorderly conduct with persistence, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Judge Dwight Osterud ordered him to pay a $250 fine and court costs. He had been arrested on a charge of soliciting, a third-degree misdemeanor, Jan. 22 at a Rossford motel where Wood County Sheriff’s deputies were conducting a sting to crack down on prostitution.

Thompson, three other men, and a woman were arrested. Charges are pending against the three men. On Jan. 24, Morgan Morris, 20, of Monroe, pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct with persistence and was placed on probation for a year and ordered to pay a $150 fine and court costs.

Bedford Township Fire Chief John Bofia said Mr. Thompson, a longtime captain at the Temperance Fire Station, remains on administrative leave. A meeting will be held between the two men next week, but a solid date has not been set.