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A former Marietta High School teacher convicted in 2016 of sexual battery of a 16-year-old student, was sentenced Monday morning to 18 months in prison after violating conditions of his judicial release.
Dennis Riley, 63, last known address of 120 W. Spring St., Marietta, was convicted of the third-degree felony after being charged with three counts of sexual battery in January 2016. Officials at the time said there were reports and evidence provided regarding Riley's three-month relationship with the girl.
Although the girl was not under the age of 16, which is the age of consent in Ohio, the felony sexual battery charge is used when the offender is a teacher, administrator or coach at a school where the victim is enrolled or attends.
He resigned as a social studies teacher in February 2016.
As part of his plea bargain, he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery and the other two charges were dropped.
He was granted judicial release in July 2017. Court records show his sentence was suspended for a period of five years.
On Monday, he waived the violation of judicial release hearing and admitted to the violations, which were to have no contact with the victim or her immediate family.
Six incidents of contact occurred between September 2017 and July 2018, said Washington County Common Pleas Judge John Halliday.
Riley had no comment during sentencing. The victim was not present in the courtroom.
Washington County Prosecutor Nicole Coil said although contact with the victim was in 2017 and 2018, the violations just recently came to light.
"An incident occurred with the victim that brought it to light," she said, but would not specify the circumstances of the incident.
Riley is subject to post-release control for a period of five years by the parole board. His 18-month sentence is with 154 days of local incarceration. He remains listed as a Tier III sex offender.