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Columbus man faces new series of child sex charges

A second set of charges has been filed accusing a Columbus, Pa., man of inappropriate contact with children under the age of 13 and 18.

Ronald R. Rastetter, 72, was charged Friday with third-degree felony corruption of minors – defendant age 18 or above, indecent assault person less than 13 years of age and indecent assault without consent of others dating back to an incident that allegedly took place in October 2022.

Rastetter had already been charged in May with second-degree felony aggravated indecent assault without consent, third-degree felony corruption of minors, and indecent assault without consent of other. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Laura Bauer and taken to the Warren County Prison after he was unable to post $100,000 bail. According to online court docket information, Rastetter is still in county jail.

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause in the first set of charges, troopers were dispatched to Corry Memorial Hospital to conduct a rape investigation. According to a police report, a 14-year-old girl was staying with friends at Rastetter’s house sleeping on the couch, when Rastetter allegedly woke her up so one of her friends could sleep on the couch. Rastetter allegedly had the girl go back to his bedroom before the alleged inappropriate contact with the girl.

In addition to physical contact, Rastetter allegedly photographed the girl while using his cell phone.

According to the affidavit, the county District Attorney’s office was consulted in the case and approved. Rastetter appeared in court last week and pleaded not guilty, with all three charges against him proceeding to the Court of Common Pleas.

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