Hardin County Man to Face Trial on Multiple Rape and Kidnapping Charges After Previous Sentence Vacated

A man whose case was remanded back to the Hardin County Common Pleas Court is now set to go on trial on multiple counts of rape, kidnapping, gross sexual imposition and sexual battery charges.

The then 52-year-old Brian Richardson pled guilty to three counts of sexual battery and one count of gross sexual imposition and was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison in June of 2024.

Earlier this year, the sentence was vacated by the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals.

Richardson was back in Hardin County Common Pleas Court last week to be arraigned on the original indictment that was handed down in September of 2023.

The charges include 28 counts of rape, 3 counts of kidnapping and 3 counts each of sexual battery and gross sexual imposition.

Richardson was found indigent and was appointed an attorney, who then entered not guilty pleas to all counts in the indictment.

Judge Steve Christopher set bond at $250,000 cash or surety, and a five-day jury trial is set to begin October 27.