Man indicted on rape charge

LISBON -- A New Waterford man is charged with rape after being accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a woman who has Down syndrome.
A Columbiana County grand jury handed up an indictment recently against Gary Shafer, whose last known address was Pinewood Drive, New Waterford. Officials said Friday they are uncertain of his age.
Assistant county Prosecutor Tim McNicol said authorities believe Shafer had sex with the woman, 31, over a period of about nine months.
Shafer was indicted on only one rape count because the victim, whom he knew, was unable to list different dates for the sexual conduct, McNicol said.
The maximum prison sentence for the first-degree felony is 10 years.
Shafer also is indicted on a charge of pandering obscenity involving a minor. It stems from authorities' discovery of images in Shafer's possession that portray child pornography, McNicol said.
Maximum penalty for that crime is 18 months.