10/11/18 – 4:46 A.M.

A Lucas County man has avoided a rape charge in Hancock County. 21-year-old Joseph Hines of Whitehouse pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault as part of a plea deal Wednesday. He faces 18 months in prison.

The charge stems from an incident that happened in September of 2017 in Liberty Township. The new charge says Hines was “under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage” brought on by “serious provocation” from the victim.

The prosecution and the defense both said that an assault charge didn’t fit the circumstances of the incident. However, they agreed it was in the best interests of the woman and Hines, as well as their families.

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