State trooper charged with sex crimes fired
One of the allegations involves acts with a child victim last March.
Christopher Ward, 44, indicted on multiple counts last week, bonded out of jail and is expected back in court March 28.
Former Trooper Christopher Ward has been fired by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Ward, 44, was indicted on two counts of felony gross sexual imposition and one count of misdemeanor sexual imposition last week.
According to a letter from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ward was terminated for violating the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s rules and regulations.
The charges stem from two incidents, one that allegedly happened in January 2015 and another that happened while he was off duty involving a child victim last March, investigators said.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told the Dayton Daily News last week there may be additional victims.
”We are prepared to use all available resources and are calling on the public to assist us in conducting a thorough investigation,” the attorney general said.
The investigation into the allegations against Ward, who lives in Eaton, was kicked off following a referral from Preble County Children’s Services. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office then took over the investigation from there, after the Preble County Sheriff ’s Office requested assistance.
Ward bonded out of jail and is expected back in court March 28.
He was placed on administrative duties at the state patrol’s Dayton post as soon as the attorney general’s office started their investigation, the patrol said.
”We’re looking forward to the opportunity to exercise Chris’ due process rights,” Ward’s attorney Steven Hobbs said.
In 2015, a woman said Ward groped her when he patted her down during a traffic stop on U.S. 35.
”And when he got between my legs, he wouldn’t stop,” the accuser told News Center 7 the day the traffic stop occurred.
Ward’s personnel file made no mention of the 2015 incident, however multiple sources confirmed there are other records that do reference the allegations.
The Dayton Daily News has requested copies of those documents as well as cruiser camera footage from the traffic stop from the patrol.
The accuser’s mother said in a phone interview that Ward’s arrest comes as a relief.