Zanesville man accused of attempting to buy child for sex sentenced to life in prison
Charles Hollenback, 61, of Zanesville recently appeared in the Muskingum Court of Common Pleas before Judge Gerald Anderson to receive sentencing for various crimes involving his attempt to purchase a minor for sex.
Hollenback had previously admitted guilt to the following charges:
• Failure to register as a sex offender, a felony of the first degree;
• Three counts of failure to register internet identifiers, a felony of the first degree;
• Attempted compelling prostitution, a felony of the fourth degree; and
• Two counts of gross sexual imposition with sexually violent predator specifications, felonies of the third degree.
The sexually violent predator specification, which exists because of Hollenback’s previous conviction and pattern of behavior, guaranteed that he will receive a life sentence for his crimes.
Assistant Prosecutor John Litle, who handled the case, requested a sentence of life in prison with a minimum definite term of 55 and ½ years – the maximum sentence. Hollenback argued for a sentence of 20 years. One question the Judge had to determine was whether Hollenback must serve additional time for each different way he failed to register.
After hearing from the state and the defense, Judge Anderson sentenced Hollenback to the maximum sentence as requested by the dtate.
The public should also be aware that the woman from whom Hollenback attempted to purchase the child was sentenced earlier by Judge Anderson to the maximum term of nine years in prison for child endangering.
At the time of the crimes, Hollenback was on post-release control supervision in Licking County after serving a North Carolina sentence for raping a child in that state.
Officers with the Licking County office of the Ohio Adult Parole Authority alerted Muskingum County detectives that Hollenback was failing to register as a sex offender and was suspected of attempting sexual abuse of a child.
Detectives responded immediately, learning that Hollenback had been living in Muskingum County since January of this year.
Detective. Sgt. Brady Hittle searched Hollenback’s phones, locating communications where he offered a Zanesville woman rent and food money in exchange for sexual access to the victim.
Hollenback was interviewed, during which he admitted to violating his sex offender registration requirements, attempting to buy the child for sex, and to sexually assaulting the child during times when he was given unsupervised access.
“The despicable acts committed in this case will leave a lasting mark on this victim, and our entire community,” according to Litle. “Thank God for the prompt actions of the Licking County Adult Parole Officers, Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Muskingum County Children’s Services caseworkers who discovered, disclosed, investigated, and intervened to save this child.”