MARION, OH – STATEMENT FROM MARION COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY RAY GROGAN
A Marion County jury yesterday took less than an hour to find David Saunders guilty of two counts of Rape and four counts of sexual battery. Saunders was charged with these crimes stemming from incidents with his girlfriend’s daughter who is developmentally delayed.
“This case is among the worst I have seen, let alone prosecuted. Saunders was supposed to protect this young woman, but instead, he took advantage of her and repeatedly sexually assaulted her,” said Ray Grogan, Marion County Prosecutor.
From 2019 until 2022, Saunders was in a relationship with lived together with the victim’s mother in Marion. The victim, in her 20’s, is developmentally delayed and has been diagnosed with mental disabilities. During this time, the victim lived with Saunders and her mother. Testimony at trial indicated that the victim has the mental faculties of a child. Thus, she could not consent to sexual activity. Saunders knew of the woman’s mental disabilities and exploited them for his own sexual gratification.
“I am so proud of the victim for having the courage to come forward. I am also proud of the work that Officer Dana Jagger and Lt. Mike Kindell, and Officer Nick Guerkink, and others from the Marion Police Department did on this case. Lastly, I want to thank all of those individuals who have helped this young woman sinch the start of this investigation; they are all heroes,” Grogan said.
The case was tried by Grogan and Assistant Prosecutor Allison Kesler. Saunders will be sentenced by Judge Matt Frericks at a later date
David Saunders