HAMILTON — The fourth and final suspect in a videotaped sexual assault at a New Year's Eve party pleaded guilty Monday and was taken to jail to await sentencing.

        After pleading guilty to a charge of sexual battery, Stephan Wesley Tremble, 23, of Lexington, hugged his mother and kissed her cheek. Then Butler County sheriff's deputies handcuffed him and took him away.

        Attorneys Matthew Ernst and Paul Laufman had asked that Mr. Tremble remain free on the $50,000 property bond his family had posted.

        Mr. Laufman said the incident involving a 26-year-old female partygoer in the 300 block of Clinton Avenue was “different than what was depicted in the press,” but he did not elaborate.

        “The court has grave concerns regarding the defendant's safety,” Judge Spaeth said. He later explained that he was unaware of any threats against Mr. Tremble but said he was concerned that Mr. Tremble might harm himself.

        Further, the judge noted it is normal procedure to lock up a defendant who has just been found guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

        Sexual battery — the charge to which Mr. Tremble's three co-defendants also have pleaded guilty — is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $15,000.

        Each defendant will face a hearing to determine whether he will be declared a “sexual predator” or a “sexually oriented offender.” Sexual predators are labeled as likely to reoffend and must register their addresses with law enforcement agencies for the rest of their lives; sexually oriented offenders must register for 10 years.

        Mr. Tremble and Michael L. Reid, 22, of Springdale are to be sentenced May 3; the other co-defendants, Daymone Eugene Anderson, 24, of Springfield Township, and Justin Walker Bowman, 21, of Fairfield, are to be sentenced April 5. Mr. Bowman also pleaded guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor count of assault, which carries a sentence of up to six months.

        In exchange, prosecutors dropped at least two charges against each of the suspects and promised not to file any other charges in connection with the party incident.

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