Child molester is sentenced to 5 years in prison

2/9/2006

TIFFIN - A Republic, Ohio, man was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for sexually molesting a 13-year-old girl.

Mark A. Kesler, 41, also was classified as a sexual predator by Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Kelbley.

Kesler was found guilty by Judge Kelbley following a two-day bench trial in November on seven counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and one count of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Kesler repeatedly sexually abused the girl in his home from spring, 2004, through July, 2005, Seneca County Prosecutor Ken Egbert, Jr., said.

Kesler previously was convicted of gross sexual imposition and sentenced to one year in prison in June, 1991. He served two months before an early release granted by Judge Kelbley in August of that year.