By Greg Sowinski gsowinski
BLUFFTON — A former village
auxiliary police officer will be sentenced next month to four years in prison
for having a sexual relationship with a minor.
Andrew G. Probst, 24, of
Bluffton, pleaded guilty to eight counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a
minor, all fourth-degree felonies. Sentencing is scheduled for April 28. Probst
is out on bail.
The prosecution agreed to the
four-year sentence in exchange for the guilty plea.
The crimes are unrelated to
Probst’s job with the Bluffton Police Department, which he worked as an unpaid
auxiliary officer, said Chief Rick Skilliter. Auxiliary officers are required
to work nine hours a month.
Probst was hired Nov. 14, 2011,
and resigned Feb. 17, Skilliter said.
Assistant Allen County
Prosecutor Terri Kohlrieser said the charges accuse Probst of having an
inappropriate sexual relationship with a girl between the ages of 13 and 15.
That relationship occurred
between Sept. 1, 2012, and Jan. 20, Kohlrieser said.
The girl told a staff member at
the school she attends and that staff member, who is required by law to report
such crimes, reported the matter to Allen County Children Services, Kohlrieser
said.