My "Hero List"
FROM YOUR PROSECUTOR
 Bravery comes in all forms - soldiers on the battlefield, those in law enforcement, firemen, and the list goes on. For me, that list includes victims who step forward to stand up for themselves and others.
While all victims face challenges in their journey through the criminal justice system, victims of sexual assault face many more.
These victims have to tell total strangers what happened to them, and what happened involves one of the most private aspects of their lives. Pile on public misconceptions about sexual assaults (about how people think a victim “should” react), add a lack of knowledge of human anatomy (Most sexual assault victims have no visible injuries.), consider the stigma attached to being a victim of sexual assault, and you may wonder how anyone can muster up the courage to come forward.
Well, they do, and there is no doubt that because they do, my hero list has expanded over the years. I recently added nine more heroes to my list while working to prosecute Matthew Rausenberg, an elementary teacher who sexually abused his students. A jury found him guilty after nine, brave young girls decided to step forward and confront the man who they admired and trusted, to tell him that what he did was wrong, and that he would never ever touch another young child!
To each and every one of those girls – thank you for your courage and bravery, and thank you for protecting others. You all are my heroes!
Former Elementary Teacher Sentenced,
Receives 106 Years To Life
 After nearly eight hours of deliberation, a jury found 40-year-old Matthew Rausenberg guilty of sexually abusing his elementary students in the Olentangy Local School District. Guilty on 41 of 42 counts, Rausenberg was sentenced to 106 years to life in prison.
“I cannot say enough about the young girls who came forward to testify,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. “Brave isn’t a big enough word to describe them. I hope now that the trial is over they and their families can continue to heal, knowing that their courage in stepping forward has put this predator behind bars.”
Rausenberg was indicted in March 2015. Charges came after authorities received a tip from a former student, now a teenager.
Driver Indicted
After Multi-County Pursuit
 George Tiller, 33 of North Ridgeville, Ohio, led authorities on a high-speed chase on January 31. The pursuit went through Cuyahoga, Medina, Wayne, Ashland, Richland, Morrow, and Delaware Counties.
“Speeds reached in excess of 100 miles per hour,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. “The chase began in Cuyahoga County after police attempted to stop the driver for speeding.”
The pursuit ended in Delaware County when Tiller, lost control, struck a median cable rail, and fled on foot.
He is charged with failure to comply with order or signal of police officer – a third-degree felony and two counts of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs – both first-degree misdemeanors.
Raising Awareness
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. We are wearing orange to raise awareness!
For more information, visit:
loveisrespect.org
http://startstrong.futureswithoutviolence.org
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