A southeastern Ohio village mayor suspected of repeatedly raping a 10-year-old girl and 30 other sex crimes has pleaded not guilty and is being held on bond of $1 million.
Stockport Mayor Michael Shane Shuster is charged with 10 counts each of rape, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition. He pleaded not guilty in a Morgan County court on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Mark Howdyshell says the charges are linked to 10 incidents of alleged sexual contact that began when the girl, a family member, was 10 or 11 and continued for five years. She is now 16.
The victim allegedly confided in a friend, who told a school official who reported the attacks to children’s services, according to 10TV.com.
‘We just don’t want things like this happening to our children,’ Howdyshell said.
Shuster, who faces a possible life sentence if convicted, remains in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail outside Nelsonville.
Rolf Baumgartel, the 38-year-old’s attorney, said he thought the bond should be lower because Shuster, who was elected in November last year, was not a flight risk, according to the Athens Messenger.
