Lambert arraigned in Hillsboro Municipal Court
Lead Summary
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
Local public official Bob Lambert appeared in Hillsboro Municipal Court Wednesday morning for arraignment.
As reported in The Highland County Press, Lambert was arrested at his home Tuesday, Aug. 9 and was charged with illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, a second-degree felony; and pandering obscenity with a minor, a fifth-degree felony.
“If you are convicted [of the second-degree felony], that would carry up to eight years in the penitentiary and a fine of up to $20,000,” Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David H. McKenna told Lambert. “I can’t do anything except schedule that for a preliminary hearing, and that is a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to send this case on to a grand jury.”
McKenna told Lambert that if convicted, the fifth-degree felony carries a 12-month jail sentence and a fine of up to $2,500.
Lambert told McKenna that he had understood the charges and asked the court to appoint an attorney for him.
“There are application forms in the jail, and you can fill those out,” McKenna said. “If you qualify, I will appoint an attorney to represent you.”
McKenna said that while this case is pending, Lambert is “to have no contact with minor children without written permission from that child’s parent or guardian” and is not permitted to leave the state of Ohio.
“You’ll be under the supervision of the probation department while the case is pending,” McKenna said. “Your bond is set at $50,000, plus electronic monitored house arrest.”
Lambert asked if he “could get out for a property bond.”
“Well, under Ohio law, if you have real estate property that is valued and has equity in excess of $100,000, which is twice the amount of the bond, and you’ve established that there’s $100,000 equity free and clear, then you can post bond via that way, or you can go through a bondsman or you can post cash,” McKenna said. “That’s essentially the three choices under Ohio law. If you post that bond, you’ll be placed under electronic-monitored house arrest from the probation department.”
A preliminary hearing for both charges has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Lambert was terminated Tuesday, Aug. 9 as director of the CVB by board president Tom Horst.
Lambert also was appointed by Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings to serve on the Hillsboro Planning Commission and the Hillsboro Civil Service Commission.
On Dec. 13, 2015, Highland County Coroner Dr. Jeff Beery also investigated a fatal heroin overdose at Lambert's residence.
As reported in The Highland County Press, Lambert was arrested at his home Tuesday, Aug. 9 and was charged with illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, a second-degree felony; and pandering obscenity with a minor, a fifth-degree felony.
“If you are convicted [of the second-degree felony], that would carry up to eight years in the penitentiary and a fine of up to $20,000,” Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David H. McKenna told Lambert. “I can’t do anything except schedule that for a preliminary hearing, and that is a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to send this case on to a grand jury.”
McKenna told Lambert that if convicted, the fifth-degree felony carries a 12-month jail sentence and a fine of up to $2,500.
Lambert told McKenna that he had understood the charges and asked the court to appoint an attorney for him.
“There are application forms in the jail, and you can fill those out,” McKenna said. “If you qualify, I will appoint an attorney to represent you.”
McKenna said that while this case is pending, Lambert is “to have no contact with minor children without written permission from that child’s parent or guardian” and is not permitted to leave the state of Ohio.
“You’ll be under the supervision of the probation department while the case is pending,” McKenna said. “Your bond is set at $50,000, plus electronic monitored house arrest.”
Lambert asked if he “could get out for a property bond.”
“Well, under Ohio law, if you have real estate property that is valued and has equity in excess of $100,000, which is twice the amount of the bond, and you’ve established that there’s $100,000 equity free and clear, then you can post bond via that way, or you can go through a bondsman or you can post cash,” McKenna said. “That’s essentially the three choices under Ohio law. If you post that bond, you’ll be placed under electronic-monitored house arrest from the probation department.”
A preliminary hearing for both charges has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Lambert was terminated Tuesday, Aug. 9 as director of the CVB by board president Tom Horst.
Lambert also was appointed by Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings to serve on the Hillsboro Planning Commission and the Hillsboro Civil Service Commission.
On Dec. 13, 2015, Highland County Coroner Dr. Jeff Beery also investigated a fatal heroin overdose at Lambert's residence.