Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Secures Guilty Verdicts in Two Cases This Week

Posted on 5/22/2023

Defendant: Jerry Sargent / Anthony Hunter

The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office secured guilty verdicts in two separate trials this week.

On Wednesday, May 17, a jury found Jerry Sargent, 63, of Sparta, guilty of Gross Sexual Imposition in a case involving an 8-year-old girl. The victim said that in June 2019, Sargent, whom she did not know, touched her thighs and vagina while she was a guest at a birthday party. He now faces up to 60 months in prison and will be required to register as a Tier II Sex Offender with in-person registration every 180 days for 25 years. Chynna Kelley, assistant prosecuting attorney, prosecuted the case in front of Judge Karen Phipps.

On Thursday, May 18, a jury found Anthony Hunter, 49, of Reynoldsburg, guilty on one count of Kidnapping and one count of Assault. He faces 3 to 11 years for Kidnapping and 6 months for Assault. The victim, Rubi Thomas, said that in July 2022, Hunter, her ex-boyfriend, shoved her to the floor during an argument, then tied her wrists and ankles together and stuffed a sock in her mouth while threatening her with a knife. Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Dan Lenert and Katy Wolfe prosecuted the case in front of Judge Bill Sperlazza.