Case Study: Holmes County Common Pleas

MILLERSBURG — A Glenmont man on Thursday admitted to sexually violated two girls while they were in his care.
William Hiller, 57, of 4571 County Road 51, Glenmont, pleaded guilty in Holmes County Common Pleas Court to two counts of gross sexual imposition.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 28, at which time Hiller faces up to 10 years in prison.
Hiller's plea comes in the wake of a decision in which Judge Robert Rinfret denied a motion to suppress a confession made to Holmes County Detective Sgt. Jim Henry.
In his ruling, Rinfret said Henry did not make false promises in order to coerce Hiller into the confession.
The Holmes County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation on June 2 after receiving a call from child welfare investigators.

The agency was made aware of inappropriate contact between Hiller and the girls after he called a crisis hotline, indicating he was having suicidal thoughts prompted by disclosure by the girls.
According to the investigation, two girls, now ages 9 and 12, said Hiller repeatedly touched their private areas, over their clothing, between 2010 and 2016. The alleged contact reportedly occurred at Hiller's residence while he was reportedly supposed to be watching the girls, according to Chief Deputy Richard Haun.
Questioned about the allegations, Hiller subsequently made admissions consistent with the girls' statements and the criminal charges he now faces, said Haun.
Pending sentencing, Hiller remains free on bond. He was reminded of an ongoing order prohibiting him from having contact with the girls. “You've already victimized them once. The worst thing you can do is (say) let's feel bad for (Hiller),” said Rinfret.
As a consequence of Hiller's guilty plea, he also will be identified as a Tier II sex offender, subjecting him to 25 years of registration as such.