Former Tiffin parks director charged with felony

5/1/2014

TIFFIN — A former Tiffin Parks and Recreation director has been indicted on a charge of gross sexual imposition involving alleged sexual contact with a minor.

A Seneca County Common Pleas Court grand jury indicted Steven Dryfuse, 45, on Wednesday on the fourth degree felony.

The city fired Mr. Dryfuse in February after officials learned of evidence gathered in an investigation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. The investigation was launched after Tiffin Police Department received a report regarding Mr. Dryfuse dating to an incident prior to his city employment.

Mayor Aaron Montz said Tiffin police requested that the state investigate the matter to avoid any conflict of interest.

The indictment states the charge stems from Oct. 4, 2001, to April 4, 2002.

The defendant allegedly compelled the victim “to submit by force or threat of force,” according to the indictment.

He is represented by Tiffin attorney Dean Henry, who said today that his client will enter a not guilty plea at a May 8 arraignment.

The offense is punishable by a sentence of not less than six months and not more than 18 months and/or a $5,000 fine.

He posted bond today, following a hearing in which bond was set at $10,000, with an option to post 10 percent. 

— Vanessa McCray