A 57-year-old Springfield man has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual battery involving an adult with developmental disabilities whom he was employed to assist as a caregiver.
According to the sentencing entry filed in Champaign County Common Pleas Court, Reginald McKinney was sentenced Thursday, October 22, to 36 months in prison for one count of sexual battery, a third-degree felony.
The case was investigated by the Urbana Police Division and prosecuted in Champaign County.
Court records state McKinney was employed by Downsize Farms as a client advocate caregiver at a group home housing the victim and another client. His responsibilities included transporting clients to and from daycare, preparing meals and supervising chores.
According to the court’s findings, the incident occurred after McKinney prepared dinner for the residents. The victim reported the incident to a Downsize Farms employee, and the allegations were subsequently investigated by law enforcement.
McKinney was initially indicted on one count of rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition. He later pleaded guilty to sexual battery on September 21, 2026, and the three original charges were dismissed with prejudice as part of the case’s disposition.
In addition to the prison sentence, McKinney was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and court costs. He will also be subject to five years of mandatory post-release control following his release from prison.
The court classified McKinney as a Tier III sex offender, requiring lifetime registration and in-person verification every 90 days.
McKinney was ordered to be transported from the Tri-County Regional Jail to an Ohio state correctional facility to begin serving his sentence.
