MARION COUNTY, Ohio — A Marion County man has been arrested and charged with seven counts of rape involving children, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles.
Michael Ray Stith, 49, of Prospect, was taken into custody last week and indicted in Marion County Common Pleas Court. The charges specify that the victims were less than 13 years old.
The case is an active investigation, with the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office involved. Detectives believe that there may be additional victims with information about Stith, who has connections to Marion and Crawford counties.
Anyone with information about Stith and the allegations is encouraged to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office or BCI. Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan’s office is prosecuting the case.
Indictments contain allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.