Ohio Third District Court of Appeals Affirms Conviction and Sentence of Dustin Clapsaddle

The Ohio Third District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction and sentence of former Kenton School teacher Dustin Clapsaddle.

Clapsaddle was convicted on charges of rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition and kidnapping last year and was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison by Judge Steve Christopher.

The charges are connected to the rape of a then 17-year-old student.

In affirming the conviction and sentence, the Court of Appeals stated that: “The conviction for gross sexual imposition was supported by sufficient evidence.

The conviction for rape was supported by sufficient evidence and was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.

The trial court did not commit plain error in allowing other-acts evidence to be introduced by the State, the defendant did not show that his trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance, and thehe trial court did not err by allowing the State to offer rebuttal testimony after the Defense rested its case.”

Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant in the particulars assigned and argued, the judgment of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas was affirmed.

For the complete ruling, click here: https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/3/2025/2025-Ohio-4904.pdf