MANSFIELD (OH)
Mansfield News Journal [Mansfield, OH]
September 9, 2025
By Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal
A local pastor charged with public indecency for engaging in a sex act with a woman in a public park has pleaded not guilty.
Defense Attorney Allen Werstiuk entered the plea through writing ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled arraignment of Aaron Williams Jr., 56, of Ontario.
Williams is scheduled for trial on Nov. 20 before Mansfield Municipal Court Judge David Badnell. He is the pastor at Maddox Memorial Church of God in Christ.
In Ohio, a third-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.
More: Mansfield pastor charged with public indecency, ‘engaging in sex act’ in public park
Clearfork Reservoir Police Chief Scott Kotterman reported seeing two people in the rear seat of a vehicle in a picnic area while on patrol the afternoon of Aug. 30.
A 46-year-old woman also was charged with public indecency. The News Journal is not identifying her because she is not a public figure. She also is represented by Werstiuk.
Williams, a Democrat, unsuccessfully ran for Richland County commissioner last year against Republican incumbent Darrell Banks.
The News Journal left a phone message for Williams.
“The News Journal will not get anything from me,” he replied by text.