MAHONING COUNTY Grand jury decides against indicting Boardman officer

The woman has said she wants the officer to be kicked off the force.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The mother of a woman who accused a Boardman police lieutenant of abducting her from a restaurant parking lot last month said her daughter will be devastated by news that the officer will not face criminal charges.
Lt. John M. Rosensteel, 57, of Poland Township, had faced a felony charge of unlawful restraint, but a Mahoning County grand jury chose not to indict him on the charge Thursday.
Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains said three witnesses were presented to the grand jury.
He and Boardman Police Chief Jeffrey L. Patterson said Rosensteel still faces possible administrative penalties in the department. Patterson said an administrative investigation will continue now that the criminal case has concluded.
Patterson said Rosensteel has denied the criminal charges. Rosensteel declined comment.
Woman's complaint
Carrie Eckert, a 24-year-old waitress at the Ground Round restaurant on South Avenue, had complained to police that Rosensteel forced her into his truck and threatened her as he drove her throughout the township.
Rosensteel has been on paid leave since the complaint was filed. Eckert has said she wants him to be kicked off the force.
"That's going to devastate her," said Eckert's mother, Sheryl Eckert. "She's been through so much, she's not sleeping, she's a nervous wreck. If he's just going to walk, it's going to devastate her."
Carrie Eckert was not available to comment. She has said Rosensteel dragged her and shoved her into his truck early on June 2, after she and another restaurant employee had drinks with some Boardman officers at the end of her shift. She said Rosensteel was among the officers but she had not met him before that night.
The woman said he drove her to the Fireplace Restaurant on Western Reserve Road and forced her inside. She said she escaped to a restroom and made calls for help on her cellular phone before he forced her back into the truck.