An Erie County judge imposed the maximum prison term after hearing about the fear described by children in victim impact statements.
SANDUSKY, Ohio — An Erie County man was sentenced Thursday to six years in prison after pleading guilty to two felony domestic violence counts in a case involving the use of an electric cattle prod to punish children and stepchildren.
Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Roger Binette imposed the maximum sentence on Robert Bores on Nov. 12, ending a criminal case that began with his arrest in March 2024 and later included a plea agreement, an attempt to withdraw that plea and months of additional court proceedings.
During the sentencing hearing, Binette focused on accounts from the children describing fear and repeated incidents involving the cattle prod. The judge said court records described the device being used against children on different parts of their bodies and being used to chase them inside the home. The court also heard that other objects had been used as punishment.
Chief Assistant Erie County Prosecutor Paulette Lilly rejected the defense’s characterization of the cattle prod as a disciplinary tool that had been used without an intent to cause serious injury. Prosecutors argued that the device was designed to control large animals and was not an appropriate means of disciplining children.
Bores’ attorney, Brent English, argued that his client did not intend to physically injure the children and said the device had largely been used to frighten them into following directions. The defense asked the court to consider Bores’ acceptance of responsibility and requested a sentence that would allow him another opportunity to be part of his children’s lives.
Bores also addressed the court before sentencing. He maintained that he had not intended to hurt the children and asked the judge for another chance to be a father. His mother spoke on his behalf and described him as a hardworking man who cared for his family.
Binette said the victim impact statements presented a different account. The judge said the children described being afraid of Bores and not wanting to be around him. He also cited Bores’ prior criminal record and previous domestic violence cases as factors in deciding that a prison term at the top of the available range was warranted.
The case began March 13, 2024, after a tip to Children Services led Erie County sheriff’s detectives to a home in Florence Township. Investigators said at the time that a cattle prod was taken as evidence and that Bores acknowledged using the device as a form of discipline. He was later indicted on three domestic violence counts and three counts of endangering children.
Bores entered a plea agreement in September 2025, pleading guilty to two felony domestic violence counts. Prosecutors dismissed a third domestic violence count and three child endangering counts under the agreement. The two remaining charges carried a combined maximum sentence of six years in prison.
His sentencing was delayed after Bores sought to withdraw his guilty plea. That request led to additional proceedings before the court ultimately rejected his effort to undo the plea, clearing the way for sentencing this fall.
Following Thursday’s hearing, Lilly said the sentence was appropriate given the conduct described in court and Bores’ criminal history. Bores was taken into custody after the judge imposed the six-year prison term.
Author note: Last updated November 13, 2026.