Lambert case goes to grand jury
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
Two criminal charges against former Highland County CVB Director Robert Lambert have been sent to a future Highland County grand jury.
Lambert had a preliminary hearing Thursday, Aug. 18 in Hillsboro Municipal Court.
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 last week. “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. Hillsboro attorney J.D. Wagoner is representing Lambert.
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 remains incarcerated at the Highland County Justice Center.
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.
In letters dated June 23 – but stamped received by the city on June 22 – Lambert submitted his resignation from the two city commissions, stating he resigned "due to increasing constraints on my time and other life events."
Both resignations were effective July 1. However, Lambert answered the roll call and voted during the July 18 Hillsboro Planning Commission meeting.
Lambert had a preliminary hearing Thursday, Aug. 18 in Hillsboro Municipal Court.
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 last week. “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. Hillsboro attorney J.D. Wagoner is representing Lambert.
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 remains incarcerated at the Highland County Justice Center.
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.
In letters dated June 23 – but stamped received by the city on June 22 – Lambert submitted his resignation from the two city commissions, stating he resigned "due to increasing constraints on my time and other life events."
Both resignations were effective July 1. However, Lambert answered the roll call and voted during the July 18 Hillsboro Planning Commission meeting.