OHIO
Coshocton Tribune
Choir volunteer charged with soliciting nude photos, sexual favors passed four background checks, fair spokeswoman says
Written by
Valerie Boateng and Elizabeth Dickson
Staff Writers
COLUMBUS — A man accused of soliciting nude photos and sexual favors in regard to the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir had volunteered with the organization for only one year.
Zachary Ruppel, 26, of Columbus, was arrested and charged with disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and compelling prostitution involving a minor in regard to the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir.
Ruppel was an unpaid volunteer in 2011 and has not been a volunteer or had official contact with the fair since, said Alicia Shoults, state fair spokeswoman. Shoults said Ruppel passed four rounds of background checks before he was allowed to become a volunteer.
Those reviews included a check with the sex offender registry and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction as well as a drug test and background check.
Columbus Police Department Sgt. Terry McConnell said complaints were made to the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir staff that Ruppel was soliciting nude photos and sex acts in exchange for positions in the choir from his St. Francis DeSales High School students as well as other juveniles involved with the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir dating back to 2011.
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