Man accused of sexually assaulting mentally handicapped woman

JEFFERSON — An Ashtabula-area sex offender who spent one year in prison after he was convicted of attempted gross sexual imposition toward two minors in 2012 now faces new charges that he forced a mentally handicapped woman into sexual contact. 

Andrew L. Church, 28, of 7716 State Route 193, Williamsfield, was indicted by a county grand jury last week, accused of two fourth-degree felony charges of gross sexual imposition.

He admitted to authorities after his arrest that he touched the woman in a sexual manner while they were both at his Wayne Township home June 18. According to Church's statement to deputies, the woman was giving him “hints” that she was receptive.

But the woman reportedly declined his advances, later calling the sheriff’s department and leaving the home. Deputies found her walking along the road, visibly shaken and crying.

The woman also claimed to deputies that Church raped her in his vehicle after driving her somewhere in 2013. Because that incident reportedly occurred more than a year ago, an accurate rape kit was not possible, according to the June sheriff's department report.

She "wanted to tell (someone) for so long," according to her statement to deputies.

Church admitted to having intercourse with the woman in 2013 but claimed it was consensual.

County Prosecutor Nick Iarocci told the Star Beacon Tuesday that the alleged victim is a distant relative of Church, and friends with Church's wife.

She was reportedly visiting their home after a domestic dispute with her boyfriend, who is Church's coworker, but works a different shift. Church would pick up the woman on his way home from work, when her boyfriend was just leaving, to stay at Church's residence.

A judge sentenced Church to two concurrent one-year sentences and five-year post-release supervision after he was convicted of the minor-related charges in 2012. He was also forced to register with the county sheriff's department as a sex offender.

Iarocci said these new charges mean prosecutors will likely seek additional penalties for parole violation — up to a potential six months incarceration, he said.

"The fact that this is sex-related, I'm sure, is going to play into ... whatever decision (Church's supervising judge) makes, should he be found guilty," he said.

After Church's arrest and incarceration in the Ashtabula County Jail June 18, he posted 10 percent of his $5,000 bond and was released, according to court records. Future court dates have not been set.

He has been ordered to have no contact with the victim.