Wednesday, July 7th, 2021

Ex-teacher sentenced to 6 years in prison

Guilty of 4 counts of sexual battery

By Sydney Albert
VAN WERT - A former Parkway teacher was sentenced to six years in prison Tuesday for four counts of sexual battery involving a former student.
Kevin A. Browning, 44, was sentenced to a total of 72 months in prison by Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Martin Burchfield.     Browning had pleaded guilty to four third-degree felony counts of sexual battery in May.
Each sexual battery charge held a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison, according to court documents. A first-degree felony rape charge was dropped as part of a negotiated plea agreement.
For each of the four sexual-battery charges, the indictment states that on or about Jan. 1, 2018, through Nov. 1, 2018, he engaged in sexual conduct with the victim while he was "a teacher, administrator, coach or other person in authority employed by or serving in a school" in which the victim was enrolled or attended.
Browning originally had been scheduled for sentencing on June 30. Only days before the original sentencing date, about 40 letters of support from family, community members and former students were submitted to the court for review.
Defense attorney William F. Kluge had requested the court consider probation as an appropriate sentence, and sentencing was pushed back to July 6.
Browning was first employed as a high school business teacher at Parkway Local Schools in 2008. He also served as wrestling coach and was hired as a technology director in March 2019.
After school officials became aware of allegations against him, he was placed on leave, and the district contacted the Ohio Department of Education. Browning reportedly resigned Sept. 30, 2019.
Additional online story on this date
Coldwater turns up offense in wins over Celina, St. Henry
By TOM HAINES
thaines@dailystandard.com
ST. HENRY - Every time Coldwater was poised for a run-rule win, Celina staved it off.
The Cavaliers ri [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Officials: Heat, relaxed pandemic rules draw crowds
Mercer and Auglaize county residents are flocking to local pools, splash pads and aquatic centers in higher numbers this year as temperatures rise and COVID-19 restrictions remain relaxed.
May have been left in hot car for hours
ST. MARYS - An incident involving a child who died after possibly being left in a hot car for hours remains under investigation, Auglaize County Prosecutor Ed Pierce said Tuesday.
MINSTER - Councilors appointed Craig Sherman to serve out the unexpired term of Paul Enneking who left the position after 12 years of service because he has moved out of town.
FORT RECOVERY - Village council members at their Tuesday meeting agreed to proceed with placing two renewal levies on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
ROCKFORD - Village council discussed the proposed budget for next year, which includes roughly $1.5 million in appropriations.
A total of $563,033
ST. MARYS - The Grand Lake St. Marys State Park campground beach has been placed under a contamination advisory due to high E. coli bacteria levels, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
NEW BREMEN - In an evening of good pitching performances, Russia was just a step better than Minster.
Brayden Monnin scored on an errant pickoff throw with two out in the bottom of the fifth to give Russia a 2-1 victory in the Auglaize-Shelby ACME tournament final on Tuesday at New Bremen.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Grand Lake scored five times in the top of the fifth to take the lead and never looked back in defeating the Michigan Monarchs 9-4 in Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League baseball action on Tuesday at Siena Heights University.