By Logan Andrew | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
Two individuals recently indicted on rape charges in Crawford County carry complex—and publicly documented—histories that have resurfaced as details emerge about the case.
Kathryn E. McConnell, 44, of Crestline, and Charles Anthony Bise Sr., 60, were indicted in November on rape and sexual battery charges. According to the indictment, the victim was under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offense and is now legally an adult. Prosecutors allege she was substantially impaired and unable to consent.
While the current charges are unrelated to either defendant’s past, both individuals were involved in significant incidents that drew regional and national attention years earlier.
McConnell: Survivor of a Nationally Covered 2015 Hostage Ordeal
McConnell is the same “Katie McConnell” who appeared on ABC’s 20/20: In an Instant after surviving the 2015 KeyBank kidnapping-robbery in Ontario, Ohio.
https://freewire-magazine.com/kathryn-mcconnell-indicted-on-rape-and-sexual-battery-charges-in-crawford-county/ (Click to read indictment for McConnell.)
On November 5–6, 2015, McConnell and her two young children were held hostage at gunpoint inside their home while her then-husband, the branch manager at the Lexington-Springmill KeyBank, was forced to withdraw money from the vault under threat of violence.
The federal investigation resulted in three convictions and significant prison sentences for the perpetrators. The family’s story drew statewide and national attention and was featured in the 20/20 episode “Home Invasion Horror.”
There is no indication the 2015 case is connected in any way to the current charges.
Bise: Former ManCI Lieutenant Demoted for Sexual Misconduct
Her co-defendant, Charles Anthony Bise, has a documented history involving workplace sexual misconduct during his time at the Mansfield Correctional Institution (ManCI).
https://freewire-magazine.com/co-defendant-in-crawford-county-sex-case-charles-a-bise-sr-indicted-on-felony-charges/ (Click to read indictment of Bise.)
According to public disciplinary records obtained by the Mansfield News Journal in 2015, Bise—then a correctional lieutenant—was:
- Demoted for unsatisfactory job performance during his probationary period as a lieutenant
- Suspended for inappropriate sexual conduct involving a subordinate
- Found by investigators to have used his state email account to send numerous sexually explicit messages to multiple women, including a female corrections officer he supervised
- Determined to have violated Ohio’s employee-conduct standards
The disciplinary documents state Bise sent explicit emails during work hours to several recipients, including a subordinate officer, his wife, a neighbor, and another individual.
Bise had nearly 20 years with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction at the time of his demotion.
These events, while unrelated to the current criminal case, offer publicly documented insight into his history prior to the Crawford County indictment.
No Known Connection Between Past Incidents and Current Charges
Court records show no link between the 2015 KeyBank case involving McConnell and Bise’s misconduct at ManCI. The current rape charges stem from an entirely separate incident, with prosecutors emphasizing only that the victim was under 18 at the time of the alleged offense and legally unable to consent due to impairment.
Both defendants are expected to appear in court as proceedings continue. Additional filings may provide further clarity as the case develops.
FreeWire will continue to follow updates.
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This is the same individual that found it okay to slap my wife’s backside and the Dr&C and union tried to cover it up after o.s.p. was involved this individual is getting what you called pay back its like a spoiled kid that got one to many chances and kept going I was very upset at the whole scenario but my wife had coworkers calling her a snitch and victimize her twice and it messed with both of us mentally, physically and emotionally and do you think the state cared no its the good ole boy system of fraternities, and military brotherhood and family connections!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Il pray for this individual as I have but inside it still bothers me at times that the state made my wife suffer along with me!!! and YAH will have final judgment on this individual and the state and the Richland county courts and the union that failed my wife!!!
Mr Bise is a known predator. He was fired at MANCI due to inappropriate sexual behavior not once, but several times.. Richland county is corrupt. Since he never paid the conquence, now he is out committing more felonies and to minors…..sad