Prosecutors say Wintersville man met a minor at mall, took her to a cemetery to have sex

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — A Wintersville man pleaded guilty Thursday to having sex with a minor in a Jefferson County cemetery.

Eric Shifflett, 25, of Wintersville was charged with gross sexual imposition. Prosecutors say he met a minor at the mall and took her to a cemetery to have sex.

"At the scene, the police found empty packages of different types of cough medicine in a liquid form and in a pill form," Jefferson County Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Bruzzese said.

Prosecutors say the girl in this case was 15 at the time of the incident in July.

Throughout the proceeding, Shifflett said very little, but did mention what he says happened.

"I was lied to about the age, but that's all," he said.

"Whether or not she said she was of age, he was certainly reckless in that regard," Bruzzese said.

Shifflett will spend 12 months behind bars, but before he was taken out of the courtroom Judge Michelle Miller left him with some final thoughts.

"I hope you take advantage of the time your there," she said. "You have 12 months to think about all the things that have happened and maybe get things turned around. It seems you might be a bright enough guy. You completed a year of EGCC in information and technology. I hope you're able to turn it around. Good luck"

Shifflett will serve his sentence at the Lorain Correctional Institution in Grafton, Ohio.

He must also register as a Tier I sex offender.

Heiser guilty of theft

Joshua Heiser, 23, admitted to stealing thousands of dollars' worth of equipment from Wells Township last December.

Prosecutors say snow plow blades and road signs were taken.

Heiser will be sentenced Jan. 7.

A co-defendant in the case, Brandon Woodring, already pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 2 years of probation.

Lawson enters guilty plea

Prosecutors said this was the "first and final chance" for 22-year-old Tajuan Lawson to get his life on track.

Lawson entered a guilty plea to a felony charge of improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle.

As part of the agreement, both sides are recommending a sentence of probation. If he violates the terms, he would go to jail for 17 months.

Lawson must also continue going to college full-time.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 7.