BUCYRUS, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A Crawford County jury has found 71-year-old Bruce Creasap of Tiffin not guilty of four felony counts of gross sexual imposition. The verdict, delivered on Friday (after about an hour and a half of jury deliberation) , brings an end to a case centered on allegations involving a 16-year-old student.
The state had accused Creasap of inappropriately touching the victim, requesting her phone number, and discussing plans to run away with her.
Following the acquittal, Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor Dan Stanley issued a statement on behalf of the Prosecutor’s Office exclusively to Crawford County Now:
“The Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office absolutely respects the verdict rendered by today’s jury,” Stanley said. “This case was a serious matter and it was clear that the jury took it seriously. We will always strive to obtain justice for victims, especially our young ones, and will continue to do so even where cases are difficult. We thank the victims and their families for coming forward and hope that all victims of sexual crimes continue to do so. We thank the Bucyrus Police Department for their efforts in this case as well.”
Defense attorney Rocky Ratliff, who represented Creasap, argued that a generational gap in communication styles played a significant role in the trial. According to Ratliff, one of the primary hurdles for the jury was determining whether any interaction between the defendant and the victim was motivated by sexual gratification.
Ratliff maintained that the case lacked sufficient evidence from the start and criticized the prosecution’s handling of the matter.
“The system worked,” Ratliff said. “The failure, in my opinion, was in the lack of appropriate investigation by the Prosecutor’s office. This case should have never been charged.” Ratliff concluded.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold released Creasap who has been in custody in March.