Van Wert man sentenced to prison for sexual battery

A Van Wert man has been sentenced to prison for sexual battery involving a victim between the ages of 13 and 17.

William Ladd, 51, was sentenced Wednesday in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court to an indefinite prison term of four to six years. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over the hearing.

Ladd received credit for 84 days already served. The second-degree felony offense occurred between June 2025 and February 2026.

As part of the sentence, Ladd must register as a Tier III sex offender. That classification requires him to verify his address with the county sheriff every 90 days.

Following his release from prison, Ladd will be required to serve five years of post-release control. He was also ordered to pay court costs.