Marion County man accused of seven rapes

According to a joint press release issued by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Marion County Sheriff Matt Bales, a Marion County man faces multiple rape charges against at least children.

Michael Ray Stith, 49, prospect, was indicted March 15 in Marion County General Pleas Court. According to Captain Ryan Zempter of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County sheriff’s deputies arrested Stit at his workplace on March 15. Zempter said he could not provide any further information as the investigation is still ongoing.

Stith was charged with seven counts of first-degree rape in an indictment that was unsealed Monday. The charges state that the victim(s) was under 13 years of age.

According to prison records, Stith is being held at the Marion County Correctional Center. The bond was set at $500,000.

According to the indictment, Stith allegedly had sex with a 12-year-old child between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 1998. The first three counts of rape apply to this alleged victim. , according to the indictment.

Counts four and five of the indictment allege that Stith had sexual relations with a child under the age of 13 between June 20, 2011 and June 20, 2013.

Counts six and seven of the indictment allege that Stith had sexual relations with a child under the age of 13 between July 27, 2022 and September 30, 2022. According to the indictment, these acts allegedly took place in Crawford. District.

The case, which has been investigated by the Attorney General’s Office as well as the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, continues to be actively investigated. Detectives believe there may be additional victims with information on Stith, who has ties to Marion and Crawford counties.

Anyone with information about Stith and these allegations is asked to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 740-382-8244 ext. 5114 or BCI at 1-855-224-6446.

(All suspects in a criminal trial are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.)

Information provided by Ohio Attorney General’s Office Dave Yost.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion County man charged with 7 counts of rape.