Mary Alice Reporting –
Jacob Ritchie was remanded to the Tuscarawas County Jail following a Tuesday morning sentencing.
He was charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor stemming from an incident in which he engaged in physical behavior, in August of 2022, with a minor who was between 13 to 16 years old. Ritchie was 18 at the time.
Judge Michael Ernest noted that this was more serious since the defendant had knowledge of the victim’s age.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that there was manipulation. That you utilized a relationship to your advantage. Troubling aspects of this, marijuana is being utilized, there is alcohol mentioned in the report.”
Jacob Ritchie will remain in the local jail until a space is available at the Stark Regional Community Correction Center. He will be labeled as a Tier II sex offender.
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