Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 14, 2025
Life Sentence Awaits Rapist Who Attempted to Buy Child for Sex
Charles Hollenback, 61, of Zanesville admitted guilt Wednesday for various crimes involving his attempt to purchase a minor for sex.
At the time of the crimes, Hollenback was on post-release control supervision in Licking County after serving a North Carolina sentence for raping a child in that state.
Officers with the Licking County office of the Ohio Adult Parole Authority alerted Muskingum County detectives that Hollenback was failing to register as a sex offender and was suspected of attempting sexual abuse of a child.
Detectives responded immediately, learning that Hollenback had been living in Muskingum County since January of this year.
Detective. Sgt. Brady Hittle searched Hollenback’s phones, locating communications where he offered a Zanesville woman rent and food money in exchange for sexual access to the victim. The woman turned down Hollenback’s offer of money, but still provided him unsupervised access to the child.
That woman is serving the maximum, consecutive sentence of nine (9) years for endangering the child through her behavior.
Hollenback was interviewed, during which he admitted to violating his sex offender registration requirements, attempting to buy the child for sex, and to sexually assaulting the child during times when he was given unsupervised access.
Hollenback admitted guilt to the following charges on Wednesday:
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, felony of the first degree
3 Counts of Failure to Registerer Internet Identifiers, a felony of the first degree
Attempted Compelling Prostitution, a felony of the fourth degree
2 Counts of Gross Sexual Imposition with Sexually Violent Predator specifications, felonies of the third degree.
The sexually violent predator specification, which exists because of Hollenback’s previous conviction and pattern of behavior, guarantees he will receive a life sentence for his crimes.
Hollenback will be sentenced at a later date, and faces a mandatory term of life in prison.
“Evaluating the case was traumatizing for those handling the case, which gives perspective to what the victim was forced to endure by people who should have been protectors,” according to Litle. “When sentenced, we intend to ensure that Hollenback dies in prison where he belongs.”
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