‘The evidence was overwhelming.’ Howland man found guilty in porn, animal sex case

A Trumbull County jury took just 30 minutes on Tuesday to convict a Howland man of 11 charges dealing with child pornography, child abuse and sex with an animal.

Trent Addicott, 27, was found guilty of four counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, two counts of pandering obscenity to minors, all second-degree felonies, and five misdemeanor charges of sexual misconduct with an animal. Common Pleas Judge Ronald J. Rice set sentencing for Sept. 3.

“The evidence was overwhelming,” Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman said. “It was almost all on video, the acts are obviously horrific, child abuse, animal abuse, it covers all the bases here. We’re happy that jurors did what they did. We think it was the appropriate result.”

At sentencing, Addicott could face a maximum of 48 to 52 years in prison and be labeled a Tier 2 sex offender.

Wildman said the prosecution’s sentencing memo will ask the judge to hold Addicott fully accountable for “his horrific actions.”

Video evidence played to jurors showed five times Addicott engaging in sexual activity with a dog, one of which was in the presence of a 2-year-old child. Photographs also were presented depicting Addicott fondling himself with the young minor nearby.

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This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 2:27 PM.