×

Girard man facing rape charges

GIRARD — A man is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on four charges of rape, gross sexual imposition and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles after a report in May at Girard High School sparked an investigation, according to police and court records.

Christopher Curlee, 54, Girard, was booked June 17 into the Trumbull County jail, where he is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Because the victim was under 10, Curlee faces a possible life sentence.

In May, a school psychologist informed school resource officer Jonathan Silverman that a student disclosed sexual assault, according to a police report.

The 15-year-old told the officer the information and an investigation that included Trumbull County Children Services began, according to the report.

The victim was 6 when the abuse began, and it continued for years, according to the criminal indictment.

He is scheduled to be arraigned before Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Andrew D. Logan after he was indicted Thursday by the grand jury.

Curlee was originally charged in June with two counts of rape in Girard Municipal Court. Judge Jeffrey D. Adler set his bond at $250,000 and ordered him not to have contact with the victim or the victim’s mother. Curlee pleaded not guilty to the charges in municipal court.

Curlee was placed on probation in 2020 after a conviction in Girard Municipal Court on a charge of domestic violence, according to court records. A probation violation hearing for the case is scheduled for Aug. 19, court records show.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today