Hillsboro man facing 5 years on gross sexual imposition conviction

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A Hillsboro man is facing up to five years in prison after a Highland County jury found him guilty Monday of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony.

James Gragg, 34, Hillsboro, was indicted Dec. 6 after he allegedly touched an underage girl inappropriately.

According to a bill of particulars filed in Highland County Common Pleas Court, the child described the incident to law enforcement last October

According to court records, Gragg initially denied in a law enforcement interview that he had touched her, and agreed to take a polygraph test, which he failed. In an interview following the polygraph test, Gragg said he touched her by accident, then later admitted that he had touched her inappropriately, according to court records.

Gragg was arrested Dec. 11.

Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins brought three witnesses to the stand Monday, including Highland County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jennifer Schinkal, who handled the case, HCSO Sgt. Dan Croy, Andrea Powers with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the victim.

After deliberation, the 12-member jury found Gragg guilty as charged.

“I appreciate the attention the jury paid to the case, and I appreciate Detective Schinkal’s work,” Collins said. “Those cases are not easy… The victim in this case was amazingly brave.”

According to Ohio Revised Code, a gross sexual imposition conviction carries a mandatory prison sentence of up to five years. Gragg will be sentenced Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Highland County Common Pleas Court.

Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.

James Gragg, right, sits in court Monday with defense attorney Richard Furnish. Gragg was represented by Furnish and defense attorney Kathryn Hapner.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/03/web1_jamesgraggtrial-2.jpgJames Gragg, right, sits in court Monday with defense attorney Richard Furnish. Gragg was represented by Furnish and defense attorney Kathryn Hapner.
Collins lauds bravery of victim

By David Wright

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