FORMER DESALES CHOIR DIRECTOR INDICTED FOR SOLICITING SEX ACT AND NUDE PICTURES FROM STUDENTS

Posted on 12/5/2013

Defendant: Zachary R. Ruppel

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has indicted Zachary R. Ruppel, age 27, for six counts (F-2) Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, one count (F-3) Compelling Prostitution, one count (F5) Importuning, one count (F-5) Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles, and four counts (F-4) Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, for a total of thirteen counts.  Ruppel was the former choir director at St. Francis DeSales High School and a previous choir staff volunteer for the All Ohio Youth Choir which performs during the Ohio State Fair each year.  Between February 2012 and July 2013, it is alleged that Ruppel solicited a sex act and nude pictures from several students.  It is further alleged Ruppel sent the nude pictures to other individuals during that time frame.   “If convicted on these charges, Ruppel faces numerous years incarceration as well as registration as a sex offender,” O’Brien stated.