Jury indicts imprisoned sex predator

7/28/2006

PORT CLINTON - An Ottawa County grand jury yesterday indicted a convicted sex predator who allegedly was involved in a similar incident in 1998.

John Byrd, 56, who is serving a four-year sentence in the Madison Correctional Institution that was imposed in Ottawa County in September, 2004, was indicted on one count of rape of a child under the age of 13. The indictment accuses Byrd of forcing a 9-year-old girl to engage in sexual conduct.

The alleged crime came to light after the girl read of Byrd's conviction on similar charges and disclosed that incident to a family member, authorities said.

If convicted, Byrd could be sentenced to life in prison because of the victim's age.