Ex-youth baseball coach admits to sexually abusing child
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Jan. 7, 2025) – The Dennison man charged alongside his wife in a child sex abuse investigation out of the Twin Cities is beginning his punishment.
31-year-old Justin Napier is in the Tuscarawas County Jail awaiting transfer to prison after appearing before Common Pleas Court Judge Elizabeth Thomakos and pleading guilty to sexual battery.
“I will accept the plea of guilty, enter a finding of guilty on Count 1, dismissing Counts 2 through 11.”
Napier will spend a mandatory 6 to 9 years behind bars, five more on parole, and must register for the rest of his life as a Tier 3 Sex Offender. He was facing life in prison for rape and other crimes before taking a last-minute plea deal that spared the two children involved from having to testify against him.
“It’s my understanding that this was reported but not acted upon for a while, and I’m sorry that didn’t happen sooner but I do appreciate their courage in stepping up and sharing their story.”
Assistant Prosecutor Kristine Beard made the offer in consultation with the victim’s family.
“This court has done a competency hearing with the girls and although you found them competent it’s a whole different ball game when they have to sit in front the perpetrator and discuss sexual abuse. We think in this particular circumstance, it is a benefit to the girls to just resolve this matter.”
Napier previously served as a Twin City Youth Baseball coach but was relieved of those duties after the league learned of the situation. His wife, Destiny Rose Napier, is awaiting trial for endangering children. She’s due back in court on Feb. 10.