MARION, OHIO (MARION COUNTY NOW)— Ayers Ratliff, 47, a Marion City Council member who was previously charged with rape involving a 13-year-old child, has now been indicted on three felony charges by the Marion County Grand Jury.
The charges include First Degree Felony Rape, Fourth Degree Felony Gross Sexual Imposition, and Third Degree Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor. These charges stem from the same incident for which Ratliff was previously charged, but a grand jury failed to indict him within the required time frame.
The incident in question occurred in May, when the child reported to a friend, who then informed school officials about the alleged sexual assault by Ratliff. Marion City Police Chief Jay McDonald requested assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation due to Ratliff’s position as a city official.
Ratliff, who is currently out on a $500,000 bond, will be arraigned Tuesday in the Marion County Common Pleas Court.