Wellsville man convicted of sex crimes with 11 and 12 year old children

Justin Talbert

A Wellsville man who was secretly indicted for alleged sex crimes against children has pleaded guilty to less serious charges.

Twenty-three-year-old Justin Talbert appeared in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Monday and pleaded guilty to sexual battery and gross sexual imposition. Charges of rape and importuning were dropped.

According to an indictment handed up last October, Talbert had engaged in sex with a 12-year-old child, and had sexual contact with an 11-year-old, while serving as a teacher or coach.

21 News reached out to the assistant prosecutor Steve Yacavone to find out if Talbert was a teacher or a coach. Yacavone said he would not discuss those details until Talbert is sentenced. 

The prosecutor is recommending a sentence of ten years in prison and a designation as a Tier Three sex offender when he completes his sentence.

Judge Megan Bickerton will hand down the sentence on November 8.