MARIETTA - A Marietta man admitted Tuesday morning in Washington County Common Pleas Court that he had engaged in sexual activities with a 13-year-old girl.
Justin M. Klintworth, 20, of 114 Sunset Drive, is accused of having sex with the child on multiple occasions.
"If you do (plead guilty), you will receive a felony conviction at a very young age today," said Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Ed Lane prior to Klintworth's plea.
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Photo by Jasmine Rogers
Marietta resident Justin Klintworth, right, pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony. Attorney Nancy Brum stands with him.
Klintworth nodded that he understood and pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony.
According to the statement of facts taken by Detective Troy Hawkins of the Marietta Police Department, the victim reported approximately 10 incidents of sexual intercourse beginning July 26 at 215 Franklin St., where Klintworth was then residing. When interviewed, Klintworth allegedly told Hawkins "he feared the 13-year-old was pregnant."
"From what I know, from talking to the family, that is not the case," said Hawkins Tuesday.
In exchange for his guilty plea, the state agreed not to prosecute for other sexual charges with the victim through the date of arrest, said Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Alison Cauthorn.
Klintworth was arrested Sept. 20 and has been incarcerated at the Washington County Jail since that time.
In exchange for the guilty plea, the prosecution also dismissed an additional two pending charges. The first was an additional charge of unlawful sexual conduct with the same victim. The second was a fifth-degree felony charge of importuning that involved a second victim.
According to a police report, the second victim, a 15-year-old female, was contacted by Klintworth on Facebook. The report stated that Klintworth had made sexual advances toward the girl and had made plans to meet with her to engage in sexual acts.
Klintworth has no prior record as an adult, noted his attorney, Nancy Brum. He does, however, have two juvenile convictions, one for underage consumption and one for breaking and entering.
Brum asked for bond to be reduced to a personal recognizance bond.
"He has no record of a failure to appear. He will maintain contact with me. He's been more than cooperative," said Brum.
Cauthorn did not object but said the state would require that Klintworth have no contact with either victim once released.
However, Lane was not ready to reconsider bond Tuesday.
"I'll take a look at bond, but not today," he said.
Klintworth's bond is set at $5,000.
Lane said he will decide on the issue of bond by Monday, but may keep Klintworth in jail.
"If I do issue a PR bond, I expect you to behave yourself," he said.
Klintworth is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 8 at 8 a.m. in Lane's courtroom. He faces up to 18 months behind bars on the charge.
