Zachary R. Ruppel, 26, choir director at St. Francis DeSales High School, Diocese of Columbus Department of Education, Columbus, Ohio, "accused of sex crimes against his students" Google+: Zachary Ruppel 10 TV: Choir Instructor Accused of Sex Crimes Against Students (July 22 2013) 26-year-old Zachary Ruppel was charged with disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, and compelling prostitution involving a minor. Police said complaints were made, saying Ruppel solicited nude pictures and sex acts in exchange for positions in the choir ... Columbus Police said the charges involve students of his at DeSales as well as other juveniles involved with the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir dating back to 2011. Tags:
NBC News: Man Charged For Attempting To Exchange Nude Pictures For Spots In Choir (July 22 2013) Columbus police say Zachary R. Ruppel, 26, was soliciting nude pictures and sex acts in exchange for positions in the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir from his Desales High School students as well as other juveniles involved with the All Ohio State Fair Youth Choir dating back to 2011. Police search Ruppel's home after complaints were made to Ohio State Fair Choir staff about the allegations against Ruppel. he two victims in the most recent incident are a 15-year-old boy and 17-year-old boy, according to a Columbus Police report.
Cleveland Star: Columbus Teacher Accused of Sex Crimes Against Students (July 22 2013) 26-year-old Zachary Ruppel was charged with disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, and compelling prostitution involving a minor. Police said complaints were made, saying Ruppel solicited nude pictures and sex acts in exchange for positions in the choir.
Columbus Dispatch: Former DeSales choir director indicted on sex charges (Dec 5 2013) According to the indictment, the importuning and compelling-prostitution charges involved a 15-year-old boy and the disseminating charge involved a 17-year-old youth. Both were DeSales students. O’Brien said that between February 2012 and July 2013, Ruppel solicited a sex act and nude pictures from several students and sent the nude pictures to other individuals....A Columbus police investigation over the summer concluded that Ruppel had solicited nude pictures and sex acts from juveniles in exchange for membership in the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir. Choir directors recommend students for membership in the fair choir each year....He was charged in Franklin County Municipal Court on July 21 with two counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and one count of compelling prostitution. Those complaints said he had asked a 15-year-old boy to engage in oral sex for $100 and sent photos of male genitalia to a 17-year-old. Those charges were dropped so prosecutors could seek an indictment. After Ruppel was charged, more youths contacted police to say that they, too, were victims.
Lots of background info in addition to the update on the indictments ... Coshocton Tribune: Former state choir volunteer indicted (Dec 6 2013) According to the 13-count indictment, Zachary R. Ruppel was indicted on six second-degree felony counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, one third-degree felony count of compelling prostitution, one fifth-degree felony count of importuning, one fifth-degree felony of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, and four fourth-degree felony counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor.
Norwalk Reflector: Former DeSales choir director indicted on sex charges (Dec 7 2013) Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said yesterday that Zachary R. Ruppel, 27, was indicted on single counts of compelling prostitution, importuning and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and on 10 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor ... According to the indictment, the importuning and compelling-prostitution charges involved a 15-year-old boy and the disseminating charge involved a 17-year-old youth. Both were DeSales students. O’Brien said that between February 2012 and July 2013, Ruppel solicited a sex act and nude pictures from several students and sent the nude pictures to other individuals ... At least one of the youths named in the indictment was in the state-fair choir this year. Ruppel was a volunteer member of the state-fair choir staff in 2011.
NBC 4i: Former Teacher Accused Of Soliciting Students For Nude Photos Surrenders (Dec 12 2013) Zachary R. Ruppel, 27, is charged with six counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, one count of compelling prostitution, one count of importuning, one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, and four counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor. Columbus police announced on Twitter that Ruppel surrendered at Columbus police headquarters Thursday morning.
Heard on local news this case hit the courts around February 10th. Any updates? Is he actually going to go to jail, or is this mostly condoned?
