Steubenville Rape Case: School Employee Held Without Bond
The Steubenville rape case is not over. High school employee William Rhinaman was indicted on Monday. He is being held without bond on charges of obstructing official business, perjury, and tampering with evidence.
Rhinaman was employed with the Steubenville school district as director of technology. The 53-year-old man is accused of attempting to hide evidence from police.
In August 2012, a teenage girl was sexually assaulted by several classmates. The teens were celebrating the end of summer with several parties, which included alcohol.
As reported by CNN, the victim passed out drunk on at least one occasion. Several boys took advantage of the situation, fondling the girl and removing her clothing. The assaults were photographed and distributed through social media.
Ma’lik Richmond, age 16, and Trenton Mays, age 17, were eventually convicted of raping the teen. Mays was also convicted of distributing nude photos of a minor.
The Steubenville rape trial gained national attention and became a point of heated controversy. The question of consent was hotly debated and dissected throughout the trial.
Judge Thomas Lipps found that the girl was unable to give consent, as she was unconscious at the time of the assault. Richmond was sentenced to a minimum of one year in a juvenile detention facility. Mays was sentenced to a minimum of two years.
Following sentencing, prosecutors revealed that 16 potential witnesses were uncooperative in the investigation. The information was being prepared for a grand jury.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said Rhinaman was indicted by the grand jury. His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday. If convicted, he could spend up to four years in prison.
As reported by ABC News, Rhinaman retained attorney Stephen Lamatrice. The attorney denies all charges against his client, simply stating that Rhinaman “did nothing wrong.”
School Superintendent Mike McVey had no comment. However, he said he is preparing a statement.
The details of Rhinaman’s indictment are unknown. However, DeWine said the charges relate to the rape case and his position with the Steubenville school district.
[Image via Wikimedia]
