By Valerie Kalfrin
The Tampa Tribune

Mark Lunsford’s teenage son was sentenced in an Ohio court Monday to 10 days in jail and 12 months of probation for fondling his underage girlfriend, court records show.

Joshua Lunsford, 18, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of sexual conduct with a minor. His jail term begins in the Clark County Jail in Springfield, Ohio, on July 16, according to the Clark County Clerk of Court.

The charge stems from a complaint filed by the mother of Joshua Lunsford’s 14-year-old girlfriend. In the report, the mother said Lunsford fondled the girl at a skating rink and outside a shopping mall March 30 and 31 while the two were kissing. Although the mother says the girl was a willing participant, Ohio law prohibits anyone 18 or older from having sexual contact with anyone younger than 16. Lunsford turned 18 in February.

A court clerk said Joshua Lunsford received a 180-day jail sentence, with 170 days suspended. He also must pay $455 in court costs, the clerk said.

Joshua Lunsford is the half-brother of Jessica Marie “Jessie” Lunsford, 9, who in 2005 was abducted from her bedroom in Homosassa by convicted sex offender John Evander Couey. Couey held her captive in his mobile home, sexually assaulted her, then buried her alive.

This year, a jury convicted Couey of kidnapping, sexual assault and murder. Jurors recommended a death sentence.

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