CONNEAUT, Ohio — A former Conneaut councilman was sentenced to prison for sex crimes against minors, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Phillip Garcia, 65, was sentenced to spend the next 18 years in prison after 11 victims came forward to accuse him of sex crimes that occurred between 1997 and 2005. The victims were between the ages of 13 and 17 at the time of the crimes.
Several victims said they worked for Garcia’s catering businesses and trusted him because of his position in the community. Garcia served as a member of the Parks and Recreation committee, Economic Development Committee and Public Service Department/Cemeteries committee.
In May, Garcia pleaded guilty to four counts of compelling prostitution and seven counts of sexual imposition. He had previously been indicted on 26 felony charges including five counts of rape, four counts of corruption of a minor, two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and 15 felony counts of compelling prostitution.
As a result of his sentencing, Garcia will have to register as a sex offender for 20 years, Yost said.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave victims who came forward with these heinous revelations,” Yost said. “Their cooperation is the reason this criminal won’t get another chance to harm a child.”
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