Bond set at $2 million for rural Galion man accused of rape, sexual battery

BUCYRUS—A search warrant, signed by Crawford County Municipal Court Judge Shane Leuthold, was served at a Galion area residence and led to the arrest of a man on several charges who is now in jail under a $2 million bond.

Aaron J. Patterson, 40, 7766 Ohio 309, Galion, was arrested during a search of his residence by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at 1:52 p.m. on Thursday. Suspected Psilocybin Mushrooms (Shrooms) were located during the search along with sexually-related material.

Patterson was in court via video-conferencing in Crawford County Municipal Court on Friday afternoon for an initial hearing in which Leuthold set his bond at $2 million due to the seriousness of the charges against him.

Patterson, who is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old juvenil on at least two occasions, is facing two counts of rape, both first-degree felonies, and two counts of sexual battery, both third-degree felonies. The sexual battery charges stem from the fact that Patterson held a position of authority over the victim in the case and allegedly used his position to facilitate the sexual battery.

Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor Rhonda Best said Patterson has several previous criminal convictions and the crimes against the victim in the case are heinous.

“I had to determine that there was probable cause before signing the warrant and there was plenty,” said Leuthold.

He said that Patterson confessed to the crimes during his interview with law enforcement and that the charges against Patterson are very serious. Leuthold said that Patterson is a danger to the community.

“I am setting bond at $2 million cash to protect the public from you,” said Leuthold to Patterson.

If convicted, Patterson faces up to 22 years in prison on the two rape charges and a total of six years on the two sexual battery charges.

Leuthold appointed Mansfield attorney Jerry Thompson to represent Patterson and will set a date for a preliminary hearing, although the case will be presented to the next session of the Crawford County Grand Jury for formal indictment.