Clifford L. Sutton, Jr. to be held without bail until trial on child rape charges

Nancy Molnar, The Times-Reporter
·2 min read
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NEW PHILADELPHIA ― A 33-year-old man who formerly lived in Midvale will stay in the Tuscarawas County jail until he stands trial on five charges of child rape.

Common Pleas Judge Michael Ernest decided Monday to hold Clifford L. Sutton, Jr. without bail.

The victim was 12 years old when the alleged abuse started, according to the indictment from the grand jury.

More:Man charged with raping girl when she was 12

Assistant county prosecutor Kristine Beard asked that Sutton be held without bail. Public defender John Watters, II did not object.

Beard said Sutton walked into a police department June 19 and confessed that he had sexually molested the victim at least three times.

"He did not want to be released from the police department," she said. "In fact, he threatened to kill himself. He threatened to run into police cars in the parking lot."Beard said Sutton should remain in jail until trial because of his mental health and the well-being of law enforcement. She said people who are suicidal in such cases can become homicidal.

Sutton has pleaded not guilty to the rape charges, and charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, sexual battery, two counts of gross sexual imposition and child endangering.

Some of the charges allege that Sutton compelled the victim to submit by force or threat of force. The child endangering charge alleges the victim suffered serious physical harm.

All the rape charges and one gross sexual imposition charge carry sexually violent predator specifications, which can enhance sentences if they are found to apply.

"He forcibly took her clothes off. He threatened to hurt her if she told anybody," Beard said. "The evidence is overwhelming against this defendant."

Ernest said he ordered Sutton held without bail because:

  • The charges against him show a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person in the community.

  • There are no release conditions that could reasonably ensure the safety of persons in the communty.

  • The presumption is great that the accused committed the offenses with which he is charged.

Sutton's jury trial had been scheduled for Sept. 7, but his lawyers have asked for more time to prepare. They have asked the judge to delay the trial.

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Former Midvale man, 33, to be held without bail until child rape trial