WARREN — A Leetonia man, who formerly lived in Hubbard Township, was given five years of probation Thursday after pleading guilty to charges alleging unlawful sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl.

Austin M. Boerio, 20, who gave authorities addresses of 379 Columbia St. in Leetonia and Elmwood Drive in Hubbard Township, pleaded guilty March 25 to an amended charge of attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor.

As part of his probation, Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald J. Rice ordered Boerio to write a letter of apology to the girl.

The judge also told Boerio he must not have any contact with the girl — including through texts or social media, throughout the term of his probation.

Rice asked the defendant, in the future, how old a girl must be for him to talk to her. Boerio responded “18.”

Boerio was labeled a Tier 2 sex offender, which means he must register his addresses with the sheriff’s office twice per year for 25 years.

The defendant, prior to sentencing, apologized to the victim and her family, saying his behavior was “foolish and reprehensible.”

Defense attorney Candace Garrett said her client took the charges seriously and had spent four and a half months in jail before being released on March 25.

The case was investigated by Hubbard Township police in August 2020.