LOCAL

Charges alleging sexual misconduct dismissed against Newark men

Michaela Sumner
Newark Advocate
A file photo from the Licking County Sheriff's Office shows Ronald Walter, 37, of Newark. A single rape charge against Walter was dismissed in March after Walter passed a polygraph test, according to the Licking County Prosecutor's Office.

NEWARK - Charges alleging sexual misconduct have been dismissed against two Newark men.

On Oct. 8, a single rape charge was filed against 37-year-old Ronald M. Walter, of Newark. The charge stemmed from a 9-year-old victim who told Licking County Sheriff's Office detectives Walter had sexual contact with her between Sept. 14 and 17 at Walter's home.

According to Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Paula Sawyers, in March, the charge was dismissed after Walter passed a polygraph test conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Licking County court records indicate the charge was dismissed without prejudice, meaning the present case is dismissed, but the prosecutor's office can re-file charges on the same claim.

In October, Brandon D. Wills, 24, of Newark, was charged with rape, a first-degree felony, and later indicted on an additional rape charge and one count of gross sexual imposition. Licking County court records indicate the charges were dismissed in March 2019.

On Oct. 9, Brandon D. Wills, 24, of Newark, was charged with one count of rape, a first-degree felony. An indictment later charged Wills with an additional rape charge and one charge of gross sexual imposition.

A criminal complaint filed in Licking County Common Pleas Court alleged between May 1, 2017 and May 28, Wills engaged in sexual conduct multiple times with a child under 10 when the acts began.

Licking County court records indicate the Licking County Prosecutor's Office made a motion to dismiss the charges against Wills in March and the motion was granted.