Cygnet Man Sentenced to Jail for Sexual Imposition

A Cygnet man is going to jail for inappropriately touching a girl.

Nicholas Gerkens, 45, appeared Tuesday in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Matt Reger.

He pleaded guilty in May to the amended charge of sexual imposition, a third-degree misdemeanor.

The victim was in court but declined to make a statement.

Defense attorney Robert Soto said his client was very remorseful and took full responsibility.

“At no point has he ever denied what happened,” Soto said.

Gerkens has engaged in therapy, Soto said.

He also pointed to a drug his client was on that investigation showed disturbing side effects, including compulsive behavior.

Gerkens is weaning himself off the drug, Soto said.

In July 2022 at a home in Cygnet, Gerkens touched a 16-year-old in an offensive manner. It was reported to the police a few months later.

Wood County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Gross said this behavior had happened before.

“This isn’t new behavior. There have been certain proclivities through Mr. Gerkens’ life,” she said.

Gross added she did her own investigation into the drug Gerkens has been using and does not think it is as problematic as Soto has implied.

Gross said jail time – 10-15 days — with community control was appropriate, along with continuation of the no contact order.

“I am sorry for what I’ve done and I hope that she’s able to have a good life,” Gerkens said.

“You violated a trust that is not to be violated,” Reger said, adding that what Gerkens did was “unconscionable.”

He imposed a 60-day jail sentence and suspended 30 days.

Gerkens will have to pay a $750 fine and will be placed under community control for five years.

He is to have no contact with the victim and will have to register as a Tier I sex offender, which will require him to register annually for 15 years.

His original charge was gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony.