Former Austintown Trustee Steve Kent appeared before a judge Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for sentencing on one count of tampering with evidence.

Judge John Durkin sentenced Kent to one year in prison, Kent was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs and immediately into custody. Durkin said he struggle making the decision on a sentence but felt only giving Kent community control would not adequately protect the public and would not adequately punish Kent. 

After deliberating for a little more than one hour in August, a jury issued the verdict, which included a "not guilty" finding on a charge of sexual battery.

Earlier this month, Kent's attorney John Juhasz filed a motion asking Judge John Durkin to acquit Kent in the case. 

Kent was charged in 2022 after allegations arose that he engaged in sexual conduct on three separate occasions with a student at Poland Schools while working as a school resource officer.

During his trial, Kent admitted to meeting with the student but denied being involved in any sexual activity with her.

The Poland Township Police Department fired Kent shortly after the case became public.  After his conviction, Kent was no longer eligible to continue as an Austintown Township Trustee.

Before the sentence was handed down, Kent apologized for his actions and said it will never happen again. 

“I’m very embarrassed for my family. I embarrassed the uniform and embarrassed my community,” he said to the judge.

Attorney Juhasz said Kent plans to file an appeal.