MARION COUNTY, OHIO, Ohio — A Marion County man pleaded no contest to child rape charges following a yearslong investigation, according to county Prosecutor Ray Grogan.

Grogan's office said Michael Stith, of Prospect, pleaded no contest to five child rape charges. He was indicted in March 2023 on seven counts.

According to the prosecutor's office, the crimes were reported in the city of Marion and around Marion County.

The indictment states that the alleged rapes occurred between January 1997 and September 2022 and involved at least three victims under the age of 13.

As part of the plea, Stith now faces up to 50 years to life in prison.

Sentencing will take place after a pre-sentence investigation is completed.

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