Man accused of raping minors

Man accused of raping minors

Hamilton police say crimes occurred between 1987 and 1997 and involved two female juveniles.

July 09, 2008

By Richard Wilson

Kenneth Lee Ashcraft, 41, of New Miami, was arrested Tuesday July 8, and charged with three counts of rape and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, according to Hamilton police.Click to enlarge

HAMILTON — A New Miami man faces rape charges for alleged crimes that occurred more than 10 years ago against minors, according to Hamilton police.

Kenneth Lee Ashcraft, 41, of the 200 block of Highland Avenue, was arrested Tuesday, July 8, and charged with three counts of rape and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, according to police records.

Police said Ashcraft engaged in sexual conduct with two female juveniles between 1989 and 1997. The crimes allegedly started when the victims were ages 11 and 12, and continued into their middle teen years, according to records.

The victims are not related to Ashcraft and are adults now, said Det. Mark Hayes. Investigators had been looking into separate allegations against Ashcraft when they were led to these victims, Hayes said.

Additional charges are expected to be filed against Ashcraft for sex crimes involving other minors that occurred up until 2006, Hayes said.

"It is gratifying when you can take a predator like Ashcraft out of circulation," said Lt. Scott Scrimizzi, detective division commander.

The statute of limitations on rape is 20 years from the time it is reported, according to the Ohio Revised Code.

Ashcraft is not a registered sex offender. He is being held in the Butler County Jail on $100,246 bond and is scheduled to appear today, July 9, in Hamilton Municipal Court.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.