GOP candidate for county prosecutor charged with sexually battering his court-appointed client

An attorney running as the unopposed Republican candidate for Hocking County prosecutor in Ohio was arrested this week on sexual battery charges.

The Columbus Dispatchreported that 36-year-old Jason A. Sarver of Rockbridge faces two counts of sexual battery.

Charging documents accused Sarver of "engaging in sexual activity with a court-appointed client," the paper said.

Sarver was being held at Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail. An initial court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of sexual battery.

It was not immediately clear how the charges would impact the March 15 Republican Party primary. Sarver is running unopposed for the GOP nomination.