BORDERLAND

Port Clinton man, 32, indicted on rape charge

8/29/2014
BLADE STAFF

PORT CLINTON — A 32-year-old Port Clinton man has been indicted on two counts of rape, both first-degree felonies, following a recent session of the Ottawa County grand jury.

Christopher Blessing is accused of forcibly engaging in sexual conduct in May with a victim who was unable to consent.

Mr. Blessing was picked up on a warrant Wednesday night, and after posting $100,000 bond he was released about noon Thursday from the county jail.

The alleged victim identified her assailant as a co-worker, according to a Put-in-Bay police report.

Mr. Blessing is a manager at Mr. Ed's Bar and Grille, a bar and restaurant in downtown Put-in-Bay.

Ottawa County Prosecutor Mark Mulligan noted than an indictment is merely a formal charge in the Common Pleas Court, and does not denote guilt or innocence.