Bond Set For Soldier Accused Of Raping Children In His Care

Bond Set For Soldier Accused Of Raping Children In His Care

Posted: Aug 01, 2013 2:51 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 22, 2013 2:51 PM EDT

By: Denise Yost, Multimedia Content Manager - email

John Kruse has been indicted on 17 charges, including rape, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition.

MARYSVILLE, Ohio -

An Ohio National Guard major accused of sexually abusing three children over the course of several years appeared in court in Union County Thursday.

Jean Paul Kruse, 40, was in the midst of serving a one-year mission with the 371st Sustainment Brigade in Kuwait when he was indicted.

Kruse has been indicted on 17 charges, including rape, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition.

A judge set Kruse's bond at $500,000 cash/surety.

According to the indictment, Kruse is accused of sex crimes involving children under the age of 13. The alleged acts occurred between October 2006 and August 2012.

The indictment states the victims are children he and his wife were caring for in their Marysville home.

Kruse's wife, Emily, has been indicted on two counts of intimidation of an attorney, victim, or witness in a criminal case and one count of obstructing justice.

Emily was released Thursday on her own recognizance with several restrictions.

Guilty verdicts would bring a minimum of a mandatory 2- to 8-year sentence, and a maximum of life in prison with no chance of parole.