ELYRIA — Former North Ridgeville sewer worker Charles Ralston was sentenced to four years in prison Monday after being convicted of raping a co-worker when they were alone at the French Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in June 2006.

Charles Ralston, 36, showed no emotion when he was convicted and sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Edward Zaleski.

Zaleski declared him a Tier 3 sexual offender, meaning he must register in person every 90 days with the county sheriff and also must register where he is employed or whenever he takes part in any educational program.

Ralston waived a jury trial and said the relationship was consensual during his trial on Feb. 27 and  28.

He testified that the two drank beer, chased a baby deer and caught a baby woodchuck before they started “messing around” at the sewer plant June 2.

But the 43-year-old accuser, who was Ralston’s supervisor on the shift, told a different story — saying Ralston pulled her to the ground and raped her.

She testified that she told Ralston to stop and that he was hurting her, but he told her to relax. Afterward, she said Ralston told her that if she became pregnant, she would have to abort the pregnancy. When she said she didn’t believe in abortion, she said Ralston told her she might have to have an accident.

Ralston said the woman grew angry when he started talking about an abortion, and he said he never meant to threaten her. But he said she ran from the wastewater plant and into the road, where she hailed a passing police officer.

Defense attorney Martin Baker contended the two began a relationship as early as 2004.

Ralston also testified that the woman drank 12 beers that shift, but Assistant County Prosecutor Peter Gauthier said that statement raised doubts about his credibility as neither the police nor hospital officials smelled alcohol on her.

North Ridgeville Safety Service Director Denny Johnson said both Ralston and the victim were fired over the incident — Ralston for admitting to having sexual relations and the victim for drinking on the job, an allegation she continues to deny.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

 

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