Stockport mayor accused of rape

After just two months on the job, recently elected Stockport Mayor Michael Shane Shuster is out of office, at least for now, facing criminal charges.

Shuster, 38, of 1800 South St., Stockport, was arrested by the Morgan County Sheriff's Office Wednesday on two felony counts of rape involving a 16-year-old female relative and transported to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail in Nelsonville.

Morgan County Prosecutor Mark Howdyshell said he couldn't provide many details of the case.

"I really am not prepared to comment on the case right now. This is still being put together, and it involves a minor," he said.

Morgan County Sheriff Tom Jenkins said in a release that allegations of a rape of a juvenile were brought to his office by Morgan County Children's Services on Monday.

"An investigation began and on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, charges of rape were filed," Jenkins said in the release.

Following his arrest on Wednesday, Shuster, who was elected in the November 2011 general election, appeared before Judge Michael Lowe for a bond hearing.

Shuster's bond was set at $1 million and he was transported to the jail to await a preliminary hearing, which has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday before Lowe.

"This is a sensitive case and we're trying to move slowly with it," Howdyshell said.

Along with his position as mayor, Shuster is also a prominent businessman in the Stockport community. His family owns several businesses, including a car wash.

Details of the case are being kept quiet to limit tainting of a possible jury pool, as well as to protect the identity of the victim, Howdyshell said.

"This is a small town, small community, and I don't want to do anything to cause people in the public to be unduly influenced until this thing proceeds into the judicial system," Howdyshell said.

Howdyshell said he intends to release additional information on the case as it becomes available.

"Right now I'm just trying to get ready for the preliminary hearing on Monday. We'll see how it goes, then I'll have lots of work to do to get it ready for grand jury," Howdyshell said.

Calls to the Village of Stockport and village council members were not returned Thursday.

No council members could be contacted to determine who is acting mayor for the village at this time while Shuster remains in custody at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.

Source: http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/542659.html

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