MARBLEHEAD, Ohio — Investigators quickly identified a rape suspect after a woman in Danbury Township shared video of her sexual assault on social media, authorities said.
Police arrested James Allen, 77, of Marblehead on a charge of rape after reviewing evidence from a Snapchat message, Ottawa County Prosecutor James VanEerten said.
VIDEO: Ryan Dunn discusses a disturbing rape investigation aided through Snapchat
Officers were called about 1 a.m. Tuesday to conduct a welfare check on the 20-year-old woman. They spoke to Mr. Allen and the woman and found nothing wrong, Mr. VanEerten said.
At 3:45 a.m., a resident of Texas contacted police to say he saw video on Snapchat that appeared to show a sexual assault. Officers then reviewed the video, identified Mr. Allen as their suspect, and arrested him, he said.
Mr. VanEerten said it is unclear when the sexual assault occurred, but it appears to be between when officers responded to the welfare check, and when they were contacted by the Texas resident.
The prosecutor said he is not sure why the victim made the video, but suggested she may have done so to create a record.
“It's obviously horrific, but at least it allowed us to put a stop to the situation and make a quick arrest in this case,” Mr. VanEerten said.
Snapchat is a popular mobile phone application. Users can create recorded messages and share them with others online.
Mr. Allen welcomed officers into his home during the initial call, police Danbury Township Chief Michael Meisler said.
“Once we reviewed the video, we made every effort to respond back to the residence to take him in into custody,” Chief Meisler said.
Authorities said the video, while graphic, was instrumental in progressing the case. It was among the most disturbing things Chief Meisler has investigated in 27 years at the department, he said.
Officials urged those who received the video to delete it immediately. Investigators already have a copy and do not want to further victimize the woman.
The woman was evaluated at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky.
An Ottawa County Municipal Court judge set bond Wednesday at $1 million for Mr. Allen. He was being held Wednesday in the county jail. Court records did not list an attorney for him.
Contact Ryan Dunn at rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095 or on Twitter @rdunnblade.
First Published August 9, 2017, 2:45 p.m.
