Former Kenton Teacher Sentenced to a Decade in Prison; Classified as a Tier 3 Sex Offender

A former Kenton school teacher was sentenced this morning in Hardin County Common Pleas Court.

35-year-old Dustin R. Clapsaddle was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison on charges of rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition and kidnapping.

He was convicted on the charges after a four-day jury trial in June of this year.

The victim, a former student of Clapsaddle, had just turned 17 when the incident occurred.

Prior to sentencing, she told Clapsaddle that he used his position to take advantage of her and after raping her, she said he attempted to place the blame on her.

Fighting back tears, she said it was not her fault. She said it was “you Dustin Clapsaddle who did this to me.” Adding this is your fault.

The victim went on to call Clapsaddle a “disgusting monster.”

Clapsaddle showed no emotion as she was speaking, and when it was his turn to speak, he maintained his innocence.

He said he dedicated his career to helping students and would never do anything like that to anyone.

Clapsaddle said he should not have intervened when the victim came to him for counseling adding that he should have turned it over to proper authorities at the school.

He said that he was sorry for that poor judgement, but he told the Court, “You are sentencing an innocent person.”

Judge Steve Christopher referenced Clapsaddle’s lack of genuine remorse when he handed down the sentence.

Clapsaddle was also classified as a Tier III Sexual Offender.