North Jackson man indicted in thefts

Another man was charged with two counts of rape and one of sexual battery.

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — A former technical coordinator for the LaBrae School District has been indicted on two counts of theft in office in the taking of more than $100,000 worth of computer equipment from the school system.

Joseph W. Beeson, 39, of Duck Creek Road, North Jackson, faces charges in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court that could carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Beeson, who provided his services through the Trumbull County Educational Service Center in Niles, was taking computer equipment from the school system between January 2005 and the end of June, his indictment says.

Warren Township Police Chief Tom Rush said authorities discovered that items were missing from the school after Beeson left the job in early summer and the new employee did an inventory of computer equipment.

Such a person works alone, Rush said, making it hard to detect theft while it is occurring.

One of the theft charges says Beeson aided another in stealing items. The other charge says he committed the thefts himself.

When contacted Friday, the office of Vicki Giovangnoli, the educational service center superintendent, said she was not available to discuss any other schools Beeson worked in and that all information would have to come from her.

Also indicted this week was Matthew A. Woodruff, 22, of North Main Street, Niles, accused of raping a 13-year-old girl earlier this month in Niles.

Woodruff was indicted on two counts of rape and one of sexual battery.

The rape counts carry a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years in prison if he is convicted.

The sexual battery charge could carry a penalty of up to five years in prison upon conviction.

Woodruff’s indictments say he engaged in sexual conduct with a girl who was impaired because of a mental or physical condition and used force or threat of force.

The sexual battery charge says the victim was unaware that the act was being committed.

Niles Police confirmed that its department handled the investigation into the matter and said the conduct did not take place in an institutional setting but would not say where the offenses are alleged to have occurred.