CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Over the last twelve months, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office has been tasked with investigating more than 70 sex offenses, ranging from sexual assault and abuse to pandering child pornography and other serious crimes.
Many of these cases remain under active investigation. Others, however, appear to have been left to flounder with little to no movement from law enforcement. This raises a pressing question: Why do some cases get active investigations while others seemingly get swept under the rug?
The Guardian reached out to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office for clarification on what determines whether a case is actively pursued or left on the back burner.
The case of Rufus Lowman: A troubling lack of action
Over the past year, the Guardian has investigated several of these cases, including one involving former Chillicothe physician assistant Rufus Lowman. The Guardian was the first to expose the allegations of unethical practices, and illegal prescription writing against Lowman, including the most serious accusation—child sexual abuse involving a former family member.
In our investigation, the Guardian obtained an audio recording in which Lowman allegedly confesses to the child’s mother. This recording, along with statements from both the victim and their mother, was submitted to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office in 2015.
Despite this, no further legal action was taken. With the victim’s statement aligning with the recorded confession, the lack of follow-up has left the community demanding answers.
Other cases that have fallen through the cracks
Lowman’s case is just one of several that have seemingly stalled with no explanation from authorities. Another involved a teen girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by an older male, a relative of one of the victim’s friends.
According to reports, the victim provided an initial statement to deputies, after which the case was submitted to a supervisor. From there, it seemingly disappeared. No further investigative action has been reported.
Community concerns and law enforcement silence
Many in the county have expressed frustration over what appears to be a lack of initiative in handling some of the most horrific crimes in the county.
In response to these concerns, the Guardian sent the following questions to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office:
“It has come to our attention that not all cases appear to be thoroughly investigated. Several of the cases we have reviewed remain pending for multiple years, with no apparent progress beyond initial statements.
Could you please explain the criteria the Ross County Sheriff’s Office uses to decide which cases to investigate and why others are seemingly left without further inquiry? We are on a deadline for today and would like to give the sheriff’s office a chance to clarify this. Thank you.”
At the time of this reporting, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office has not responded.
Sexual assault cases in Ohio: A broader issue?
In 2023, Ohio law enforcement agencies reported approximately 13,000 sexual assault incidents to the Ohio Incident-Based Reporting System (OIBRS). While many of these cases are pursued, others remain stalled—raising concerns about prioritization and accountability.
The silence from the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, combined with a lack of investigation into multiple cases, has left the community wondering whether local law enforcement is taking these crimes seriously.
For now, the questions remain unanswered.