Man found guilty of sexual battery

A man who sexually assaulted an 18-year-old Ohio University student in September 1999 was found guilty of sexual battery in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas on Monday.

Ramon Valoz Jr., of Texas, made a plea agreement with the state, according to court records. Two counts of rape were dropped in exchange for Valoz's plea of no contest. Judge Michael Ward then found him guilty.

The maximum punishment for sexual battery is five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. But the state will recommend Valoz serve six months in the Southeastern Probation Treatment Alternative Center and be classified as a sexually oriented offender, according to court records.

Ward can accept or reject this recommendation.

Valoz was charged after he and the OU student drank together Uptown. According to Athens Municipal Court records, the student was too intoxicated to give consent.

Valoz will be sentenced after a pre-sentence investigation and SEPTA evaluation.