WARREN — A Hubbard man who could have faced life in prison without parole if he were convicted at a jury trial instead took a plea deal Monday that gave him a sentence of nine years.

Zachary Henderson, 22, of Liberty Street, pleaded guilty to charges of attempted rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition in connection to a case that was investigated

by the Hubbard Police Department.

Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge W. Wyatt McKay, who was to preside over Henderson’s trial that was to begin Monday, sentenced the defendant to consecutive prison sentences. The judge also labeled Henderson a Tier 3 sex offender, which means that after his release, Henderson must register his address with the sheriff’s office in the county of his residence four times a year for the rest of his life.

According to a police report, one of the investigations began following information provided by the resource officer at Hubbard Middle School. The victims were three boys ages 9, 10 and 12

at the time of the offenses, which dated back to 2019, court records show.

The victims had planned to testify but were not at the courthouse at the time of the plea hearing, prosecutors said.

On May 12, 2021, Henderson was named in a sealed grand jury indictment of six charges, including four counts of rape that carried life sentences.

He was immediately arrested and held without bond, jail records show.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com