Oak Harbor man pleads guilty to sex crimes against minors

PORT CLINTON — An Oak Harbor man pleaded guilty to multiple felony sex offenses after reportedly forcing multiple victims, who were minors at the time, to engage in sexual conduct. 

Nathan Hermes, 32, pleaded guilty earlier this week to four counts of gross sexual imposition, all upper-tier third-degree felonies, in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court. 

Hermes' offenses initially came to light in November of last year after he reportedly forced a minor, who was 12 years old at the time, into sexual contact on multiple occasions, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. 

Then in April of this year, Hermes was indicted on several additional felony sex offenses involving a total of three more victims, all under the age of 13 at the time of the incidents, which reportedly occurred between May 2002 and October 2005, according to court records. 

The charges against Hermes were ultimately resolved in a single criminal case as part of his guilty plea. However, stipulated in the plea agreement is that none of the four total charges will be merged for the purposes of sentencing. 

As a result, Hermes could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $40,000, and will be classified as a Tier 2 sex offender, requiring he register with the local sheriff’s office every 180 days for 25 years. 

Additionally, each of the four victims in the case will be permitted to provide victim impact statements to the court at the time of sentencing, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Jan. 14, in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court. 

Hermes also will be subject to a minimum of at least five years of post-release control, or parole, upon his release from prison. 

jstinchcom@gannett.com 

419-680-4897 

Twitter: @JonDBN