By April Rodgers | FreeWire Your News Your Voice
Charles A. Bise, Sr., 60 of Galion, has been indicted by a Crawford County Grand Jury on two felony charges involving allegations of sexual conduct with a victim who prosecutors say was unable to consent. The alleged offenses occurred between October 31 and November 1, 2025.
According to the indictment, the victim was older than 13 but under the age of 18 at the time of the offenses.
Prosecutors allege Bise engaged in sexual conduct with the victim at a time when the victim’s ability to resist or consent was substantially impaired due to a mental or physical condition or advanced age. The Grand Jury stated Bise knew, or had reasonable cause to believe, the victim was unable to consent. He is charged with rape, a first-degree felony under Ohio Revised Code 2907.02(A)(1)(c) and 2907.02(B).
A second count accuses Bise of engaging in sexual activity with the victim—or causing the victim or others to engage in sexual activity—while the victim’s ability to understand or control their conduct was substantially impaired. That charge, filed under Ohio Revised Code 2907.03(A)(2) and 2907.03(B)(1), is sexual battery, a third-degree felony.
Arraignment
Bise appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on November 20, 2025, for arraignment before Judge Sean E. Leuthold. He was represented at the hearing by attorney Kenzie Garverick. Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Ryan Hoovler and Daniel Stanley appeared on behalf of the state.
Bise entered a not guilty plea to all charges.
Bise has retained Attorney Jerry W. Thompson to represent him in all future proceedings.
Bond and Conditions
Judge Leuthold set bond at $150,000 cash or surety. Bise is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.As part of his release conditions, Bise must:
- Commit no violations of the law
- Appear for all court hearings
- Abstain from drugs, alcohol, and drug paraphernalia
- Submit to random testing
- Have no contact with the victim
Co-Defendant Information
This case also involves co-defendant Kathryn McConnell, 44 of Crestline, whom FreeWire reported on last week. McConnell is charged with rape, sexual battery, and offenses involving underage persons, she is being represented by Attorney Dintaman. She remains housed in the Crawford County Justice Center on a $150,000 cash or surety bond, while Bise has been released on bond.
Bise and McConnell are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
FreeWire will continue monitoring this case and will provide updates as proceedings move forward in Crawford County.
About The Author
Worked with Bise for 13 years at NCCI before it priviatized. Unfortantely, I remember Bise only too well. This guy has some real serious mental issues centering around him having a extremely over exaggerted opinion of himself as some kind of tough guy working in a prison. Would like to contact the CO and his wife nurse who had to endure the harassment from fellow staff sticking up for a piece of shisa like Bise.