LISBON — A Newton Falls man convicted in a sex for hire case filed an appeal to challenge the outcome of his case.

Eric C. Knoch, 55, was fined $800 and given a suspended 180-day jail term last month for engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools, with the sentence in Columbiana County Municipal Court stayed pending appeal. A motion to dismiss by the defense was overruled.

He was also ordered to complete 35 hours of community service and a prostitution prevention course.

Knoch was accused of requesting sexual conduct for an agreed upon price of $80 as a Christmas in July Special from an undercover agent, then driving to Salem on July 23, 2025 for the meeting. An affidavit said he was a convicted felon and a registered sex offender.

Defense attorney Ron Yarwood filed the appeal with the Seventh District Court of Appeals to challenge the judgment of county Municipal Court Judge Danielle Menning.

Issues listed for review by the appellate court included the court’s overruling of the defense motion to dismiss, the sufficiency of the evidence and the weight of the evidence.