Mary Alice Reporting – In a felony case related to rape and other unlawful conduct with minor offenses, the defendant has been held with no bail.
On Monday, the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor’s Office presented their case against Clifford Sutton, 33, as to why he should remain in the County Jail.
The case stems from incidents involving Sutton and a minor when the child was under 13 years old. Assistant Prosecutor Kristine Beard notes that Sutton turned himself over to law enforcement.
“Pursuant to our policies, Detective [Adam] Fisher was not necessarily going to arrest him on that date because we try to make sure that we can confirm it happened to a child but [Sutton] did not want to be release from the police department. In fact, he threatened to kill himself, he threatened to run into police cars and he was going to do whatever it took to be put into custody.”
The defense attorney did not object to the no bail, and Judge Michael Ernest confirmed his ruling.
“I am going to find that you should be held without bail. I do find from the presentation made by the prosecutor’s office that there is clear and convincing evidence in this matter.”
Sutton is facing five counts of the first-degree felony rape with a sexually violent predator specification, and the other charges include sexual battery, gross sexual imposition with a violent predator specification, and unlawful conduct with a minor, all third-degree felonies.
In addition, his trial has been continued for a later date.
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