egebert@timesbulletin.com
VAN WERT — A Van Wert man who was originally arrested on a charge of rape of a person under the age of 13 was sentenced to an eight-year prison term on a reduced charge of sexual battery, a felony of the second degree. As part of the sentence, George Tromblay, 56, was also classified as a Tier Three sex offender and must register with law enforcement every 90 days for the rest of his life.

At Wednesday’s sentencing hearing in Van Wert County Court of Common Pleas, Tromblay offered an apology for his actions but the mother of the young victim also spoke out.

“This man, for years, took my daughter’s innocence. He was like part of the family. We trusted him. He looked us straight in our faces, knowing what he was doing since my daughter was six years old,” the woman stated as she choked back tears. She stated that her daughter had not said anything for fear Tromblay would not be friends with the family anymore.

Judge Charles D. Steele gave Tromblay credit for 220 days already served in custody during the legal process and told Tromblay that after the prison sentence, there would be five years of post-release control as well as the reporting requirement. Tromblay was arrested in the case back in June of 2012.