Nate Webster, Former Bengals Linebacker, Convicted in Ohio Sex Abuse Case

Cincinnati, Oh. — Former NFL linebacker Nate Webster was found guilty Wednesday of four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for having sex with the teenage daughter of a former assistant coach for the Bengals.

According to prosecutors, Webster, 34, had sexual contact with the girl — whose identity remains anonymous — when she was 15 and threatened to harm her if she told anyone. The alleged victim, who is now 18, said the sexual encounters began when she agreed to babysit Webster’s kids at his home in the summer of 2009.

Webster admitted to having sex with the teen, but said it happened after she turned 16, the legal age of consent in Ohio.

After deliberating for nearly six hours over two days, the jury found Webster guilty on four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and not guilty of three other charges: gross sexual imposition, sexual battery and a fifth count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

Webster’s verdict came after he turned down a plea deal that would have jailed him for four years.

“We obviously are disappointed with the verdict in some respects,” Webster’s attorney, Gregory Samms said after court.

Samms added that he plans to file an appeal after sentencing, but said he could not comment on specific issues being considered for the appeal.

Nate Webster will be sentenced on June 6 and faces up to 20 years behind bars.

Besides the Bengals, Nate Webster played four seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was a member of the team during its Super Bowl XXXVII victory in 2003. The former University of Miami standout finished his NFL career with the Denver Broncos in 2008.

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via Washington Post