Paul E. Wiard

Time behind bars is what a former Claypool grandfather is now facing after violating his probation for not registering as a sex offender.

In June, Paul E. Wiard, 83, was sentenced to four years of probation for molesting his granddaughter over a 6-year period beginning when she was 9 years old. Per the terms of his probation, he was ordered to attend sex offender counseling and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Sometime after his sentencing, Wiard moved to Homestead, Fla., where he was arrested on July 25 for failing to register as a sex offender.

Wiard was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Fla., and held on a $5,000 bond. On July 31, a warrant for probation violation was issued in Kosciusko County and is now active for Wiard. He faces a Nov. 21 hearing in Florida and will likely be extradited back to Kosciusko County where his initial bond has been set at $50,000 surety.

For violating his probation, Wiard could have his initial 4-year prison sentence reinstated.

Wiard was arrested in June of 2012 for the molestation, which took place from 2001 to 2007, but was only brought to the attention of Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigators in 2012. (See related story)

In a plea bargain, Wiard admitted guilt to count one of child molesting and a second sexual misconduct charge was dropped.

Wiard was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court III to 4 years in prison, but the entire term was suspended to be served on probation. He was also ordered to pay court fines and probation administration fees totaling $379 and attend sex offender counseling. Wiard also has a no contact order with the victim.