Middletown man receives maximum sentence for sexual conduct with teen

A Middletown man received the maximum sentence of five years in prison on Tuesday after admitting to sexual conduct with a teen.

William L. Powell, 71, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a third-degree felony. Other charges that included three counts of rape, one count of gross sexual imposition, one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and one count of contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a minor were dismissed.

The charge to which Powell pleaded guilty indicates he had sexual conduct with a minor between the ages of 13 and 15 in August 2010. The crime took place in Trenton and was investigated by police there.

Powell’s accuser reported sexual abuse beginning at age 10 and continuing until she was 18.

Two other accusers also came forward, according to police. But Assistant Butler County Prosecutor Kelly Heile said there was a statute of limitations issue, and the indicted charges pertain to just one victim.

Powell’s attorney said Powell suffers from PTSD and has mental health issues that will not effectively be addressed in the prison system. While out on bond he was seeking treatment at a VA hospital of the mental health issues.

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