WAPAKONETA — A former percussion instructor for the marching band at Wapakoneta City Schools was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison and must register as a Tier 3 sex offender for life for engaging in sexual intercourse and/or oral sex with students under his charge.
Broc Hottle, 27, of Mount Vernon, had previously pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of sexual battery related to incidents that took place between 2012 and 2013. Under a negotiated agreement with prosecutors, Hottle agreed to plead guilty to five counts of sexual battery, with 29 remaining counts dismissed.
Two of Hottle’s victims testified at Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, as did the representative for one female victim who committed suicide after the incidents in question took place.
Auglaize County Prosecutor Edwin Pierce had recommended a sentence structure that, in retrospect, was identical to that handed down by Judge Patricia Cosgrove, a retired jurist from Summit County who was assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court to hear the case after Auglaize County Common Pleas Judge Frederick Pepple recused himself.
Cosgrove sentenced Hottle to 60 months in prison on each of five counts of sexual battery. The first three sentences were ordered to be served concurrently, with the two additional counts to be served consecutively, for a total of 15 years behind bars. As a Tier 3 sex offender, Hottle will be required to register with local authorities every 90 days for the rest of his life.
Prior to sentencing, Pierce argued that Hottle’s crimes “were a violation of trust to the kids, their parents and the community.” The prosecutor told the judge that Hottle’s actions were premeditated, saying, “He clearly knew what he was doing.”
Pierce said there were three known victims, and “we suspect there were others,” whom Hottle preyed upon.
“I argued before the judge that his remorsefullness was not genuine. He was only remorseful that he got caught,” said Pierce. “I firmly believe that if he had not been discovered that this would have continued.”
Cosgrove agreed that Hottle’s remorse was not genuine “and told the victims how brave they were to come forward,” Pierce said.
“Was justice served? I’m not sure I know what justice is. But, yes; I am satisfied with the sentence,” Pierce continued. “Hopefully it sends a long and strong message to people in a position of authority that these types of things just can’t happen.”
Hottle had been Wapakoneta schools’ percussion instructor for the marching band from 2008 until his termination in 2016.
