Licking County man sentenced on sex charges

NEWARK — A St. Louisville man was sentenced to two years in prison Friday for secretly recording one girl in her bedroom and attempting to have sex with another.

Cole Collins, 22, also will have to register his residence and workplace for the next 15 years after pleading guilty to multiple felony counts in the case.

He apologized to the victims and their family members during a hearing in Licking County Common Pleas Court before Judge Thomas Marcelain handed down the sentence.

The judge noted the seriousness of the crimes.

“It’s a nightmare, for God’s sake,” Marcelain said.

Collins was charged in separate cases earlier this year involving two minor victims. In the first, he entered the bedroom of a 13-year-old girl, exposed himself and attempted to disrobe the victim before she rejected his advances and left, according to court documents.

In the second, he placed a recording device in the bedroom of another girl over a period of a year and a half and created videos of the victim in various states of undress, according to documents.

Collins pleaded guilty Friday to importuning, public indecency and voyeurism, with additional counts of gross sexual imposition, attempted gross sexual imposition and illegal use of a minor in nudityoriented material dismissed as part of his plea.

“I deeply regret the actions I have caused,” Collins, who is married and has an infant child with health issues, said before his sentencing. “I’m sorry for betraying your trust. I hope that one day I can earn your forgiveness.”

The victims’ mother and sister also spoke during the hearing, recounting the pain and distrust that has resulted from the crimes.

Assistant Prosecutor Hawken Flanagan questioned whether Collins’ remorse was genuine and told Marcelain that a prison term was appropriate.