Nate Webster convicted of sex crimes wants early release

CINCINNATI -- Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Nate Webster, who is serving a 10 year sentence for having sex with the underage daughter of a former assistant coach, is asking for an early release from prison.

Prosecutors said Webster had sex with the girl several times in 2009 when she was 15. Webster said the sex occurred when she was 16, Ohio's legal age of consent.

The victim said the encounters began when she agreed to babysit Webster's kids at his home. She said Webster threatened to hurt her and her family if she told anyone.

Before the trial, Webster turned down a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for four years.

Webster only has to serve 10 years of his 12-year prison sentence after the Ohio 1st District Court of Appeals ruled in 2013 that prosecutors didn't prove one of four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Webster's wife, Jennifer, wrote to the Court of Common Pleas asking for her husband's judicial release.

She stated that Webster's incarceration has caused their family "tremendous hardship," and her husband accepts responsibility for his actions.

"Nathaniel... has seen the physical, emotion and financial ramification of his actions," wrote Jennifer.

He is expected to appear in court at 9 a.m.

Webster played for the Bengals in 2004-05. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000-03) and Denver Broncos (2006-08).


(wcpo.com)