Man cleared of 15 rape, child sex crimes

PORT CLINTON — A judge on Wednesday freed a Port Clinton man who faced 15 felonies related to the alleged rape a young child.The state couldn't prove Christopher P. Shortridge, 32, committed these crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. A jury along with Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Bruce Winters affirmed the ruling after a two-day hearing.Back in April, a secret indictment process overseen by the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office against Shortridge resulted in him being charged with:• Six counts of rape• Six counts of sexual battery• Three counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. For the past three-plus months, Shortridge remained incarcerated at the Ottawa County Detention Facility on a $500,000 bond.He was able to return to his family Wednesday.Winters told the Register the case rested on the claims of one child. The family was embroiled in a legal dispute at the time. The charges stem from the victim, no older than 10, reporting the allegations against Shortridge to a school guidance counselor this past spring. The counselor then alerted authorities, which led to the indictment and arrest. The victim claimed Shortridge committed the crimes over a two-year period, from 2012 through 2014.Shortridge ran a tree removal service prior to this case. His company's income ceased upon his arrest, which put an additional strain on his family, Mancinetti said. During Wednesday's hearing — which involved Shortridge, his wife and his stepdaughter testifying — the jury deliberated for about four hours before returning with a not guilty verdict. The victim, the victim's mother and local law enforcement authorities in tune with the investigation also took the stand.Shortridge embraced his family immediately after learning his fate."This was monumental for Chris," said Patrick Mancinetti, a DeBacco Law Office attorney representing Shortridge. "This was also a big win for our constitution. Chris's constitutional rights prevailed today."His attorney continued: "Chris was obviously heartbroken that all of this happened. But he's thrilled to be vindicated. He's happy to be out of jail."Mancinetti said his client will return to his life before the allegations arose. "Sometimes these allegations stay with you even after you've been proven innocent," Mancinetti said. "Chris is going back home to his wife, to his business and his normal life."Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and at Facebook.com/PatPfanner