Sentencing Set for Former Miami University Police Officer Convicted In Sexual Harassment Case

BY DUNCAN STEWART

Miami University journalism student

The sentencing hearing for former Miami University Police Officer Dustin Young has been set for November 11 at 1:00 pm.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael Oster found Young, 36, guilty of gross sexual imposition and abduction after groping and sexually harassing a female coworker. He was also found not guilty on separate charges of abduction and kidnapping. Oster's verdict was handed down Oct. 15.

Young's bond was continued, and he was released to await sentencing.

Young is facing a maximum of 18 months in prison on the gross sexual imposition charge and 36 months on the kidnapping charge, said assistant Butler County prosecutor Kelly Heile. He may also have to register on the sex offender registry for 15 years.

“Obviously he could also get probation if the court chooses,” she said.

Heile did not make a sentencing recommendation to the judge.

According to a Letter of Finding written after an internal investigation by Miami’s Director of the Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity Kenya Ash, Young grabbed the victim’s buttocks over 40 times, sent her photos of his genitalia and attempted to convince her to have sex with him.

On one occasion, he pushed her up against a row of lockers in the police station and attempted to kiss her, saying he “knows [she] likes to be manhandled.”

Patch does not name victims of sexual assault.

Young was hired as an officer in 2002 and promoted to sergeant in 2011. The victim was hired as an emergency dispatcher in 2012.

The allegations of sexual harassment came to the university’s attention on November 22, 2016, said Claire Wagner, director of University News and Communications. Young was placed on leave with pay, and resigned on January 11.

“Because Dustin Young was a Miami police officer, our police department asked the City of Hamilton to do the police investigation so it would be independent,” said Wagner.

Heile said she has not seen many sexual harassment cases in her time as an assistant prosecutor.

“I don’t know that that means they aren’t happening,” she said. “I think it depends on how it gets reported and who it gets reported to. Sometimes even who’s investigating.”

Lack of evidence can also keep these cases from being tried.

“It doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, but we have to evaluate on an ‘is there sufficient evidence here,’ not only to proceed with an indictment, but to proceed to trial,” she said.

Photo: Dustin Young was a fifteen year veteran of MUPD. -- Photo by Duncan Stewart