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Greenwood Sentenced to 10 Years Prison

Jay Greenwood offered no apology Thursday when he heard his sentence of 10 years for two counts of sexual battery.

The charges reflect crimes that took place in the 1990s and early 2000s against three females, each of whom was younger than 13 at the time.

Greenwood, 61, of Lafferty, had been a longtime Belmont County employee with the Building and Grounds Department. His employment was terminated Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to amended charges of sexual battery on Tuesday. The plea came after a four-day trial on rape and gross sexual imposition charges, brought to a halt Sept. 23 when he suffered a “medical emergency.”

In court Thursday, it was revealed that Greenwood had attempted to commit suicide.

Prior to sentencing, defense attorney Joseph Vavra asked that Greenwood’s age and prior clean record be considered and asked for less than the maximum sentence.

“Age is not a defense to a felony. Participation in the community is not a defense for a felony,” said Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato.

Belmont County Chief Deputy James Zusack declined to give further details concerning the suicide attempt and the other events that occurred Friday. Two ambulances and several law enforcement officers responded to the Greenwoods’ residence after Greenwood failed to appear in court.

Fregiato went on to impose the maximum sentence of five years on each count of sexual battery. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Fregiato said Greenwood continues to pose a danger to the public.

“This court finds that the defendant poses a great risk of committing future sexual crimes, when combined with his minimal expression of remorse, actually his non-existent expression of remorse,” Fregiato said.

He added that these crimes will not go unpunished.

“Children in Belmont County, Ohio, will indeed be protected from sexual predators,” he said. “Quite frankly, I would have given this defendant more than a decade if the law would permit me to do so, after hearing the testimony over the course of one week.”

Harmony House Child Advocacy Center conducted a forensic interview of the youngest victim prior to the trial. Harmony House Director Leslie Vassilaros noted the importance of resolution for the victims.

“That’s an important part to begin their healing,” she said, adding that cases involving the abuse of a child’s trust are particularly painful. She said both the trial and Greenwood’s apparent suicide attempt would add to their trauma. “The victims still have feelings for the person.”

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