Kevin Mark New
Introduction
Kevin Mark New, a 41-year-old Freedom Township man, was sentenced to 4½ years in prison during his November 14 sentencing hearing for sexually abusing a teenage girl over a three-year period . Portage County Judge Becky Doherty imposed the sentence . New had pleaded guilty in October to two counts of sexual battery and one count of endangering children — all third-degree felonies — resolving a case that began with more serious charges .
Background Information
Court records place the offenses between August 2022, when the girl was 13, and August 2025, with at least one offense taking place at New’s home sometime in 2024 . New had been charged in an indictment with two counts of first-degree felony rape and two counts of third-degree felony sexual battery. In a plea deal, both rape counts were amended down to sexual battery, one of the sexual battery counts was amended to endangering children, and the second sexual battery charge was dismissed . Due to an error in the indictment, the charges were previously misreported as involving two teenage girls; the error was corrected in response to a prosecutor’s office motion .
The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation
Convicted and sentenced.
New pleaded guilty in October to two counts of sexual battery and one count of endangering children, all third-degree felonies . The convictions cover a three-year course of abuse of a teenage girl that began when she was 13 years old and continued through August 2025, with at least one offense committed at New’s home in 2024 .
At sentencing on November 14, Doherty imposed 4½ years in prison — well below the maximum possible sentence of 13 years the records put on the table. The judge noted that the lesser term was based on an agreement between the prosecution and the defense .
Public Reaction and Consequences
The sentencing hearing became the venue for the case’s public accounting. Defense attorney Paul Siegferth told Doherty before sentencing that New is sorry for what he did: “My client does take full responsibility for his behavior. He’s ashamed and embarrassed by his behavior and he’s disappointed in himself.” The girl requested a limited prison sentence for New: “I understand that the court has some serious things to consider and I respect that the decision cannot be based on my feelings alone,” she said, but added that she hoped Doherty would consider how she feels. Doherty encouraged her to maintain the counseling she has taken part in .
Prosecutor Lindsey Leonard said that although she respects the girl’s position, she believes there needs to be prison time: “This was a crime against a girl who didn’t have an opportunity to stand up for herself” .
When it came New’s turn to speak, he expressed regret for his actions: “I’m terribly sorry for putting us in this situation we’re in,” he told Doherty . Doherty had denied his request to speak directly to the girl, saying that was inappropriate during a sentencing hearing and adding that if the girl chooses to have contact with him, he can speak to her then .
Doherty was blunt with New: “What you have done is in no way her fault,” she told him. “I don’t want her to think that it is even though you manipulated her to think this was OK. Honestly, if I could send you to prison a whole lot longer, I would do that.” She added that the girl’s request for limited prison time shows she is a “good kid” and that she believes New took advantage of that .
Current Status
New, 41, begins the 4½-year prison term imposed on November 14 under the prosecution-defense agreement that kept the sentence below the 13-year maximum. Doherty also determined that New is a Tier III sex offender, which requires him to register with the sheriff of any county where he lives, works or goes to school every 90 days for life .
Impact on Their Career/Life
New’s record now carries three felony convictions — two counts of sexual battery and one count of endangering children — along with a 4½-year prison term and a lifetime Tier III registration obligation that follows him to any county where he lives, works or attends school . The reporting documents no occupation for him; the convictions and the registration requirement are the lasting public consequences of the case.
Sources
- “Portage County man going to prison for sexually assaulting teen” — Record-Courier via Yahoo News, November 2026: source