Ohio National Guardsman accused of raping minor faces judge in Delaware County
DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – A member of the Ohio National Guard accused of raping a minor was in court Wednesday.
Steven Vicario, of Delaware, was arrested by Delaware police Friday and faces three counts of rape and one count each of gross sexual imposition and tampering with evidence. The charges stem from two alleged incidents, one on November 5, 2023, when a woman brought a 14-year-old girl to the Delaware Police Department. The woman alleged the incident occurred in the early hours of Nov. 5 at a south Delaware residence.
The Delaware police report states that an officer escorted the victim to Grady Memorial Hospital, where an interview was conducted. The woman told police that she found Vicario in a bedroom with the minor, who was not fully clothed.
According to the report, Vicario left the room before the minor was brought to the police station. The victim was next taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for additional examination.
An official indictment also includes additional charges in which Vicario is accused of rape between October 2022 and October 2023.
A Delaware County Court of Common Pleas copy of the indictment states that Vicario is charged with four total sex crimes, three counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition, over the two incidents, which accuse him of forcing vaginal and anal intercourse with the minor.
Vicario is a lieutenant colonel currently serving as the Mobilization, Plans and Readiness Division Chief with the Ohio National Guard, according to his social media account. The woman told police that there were upwards of 50 firearms in the home, though Vicario was arrested without incident on April 19.
After a plea of not guilty, a judge issued Vicario a $500,000 bond and ordered him to have no contact with the victim, witnesses or family members. The judge added that should Vicario post bond, he will be ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device.
A representative with the Ohio National Guard responded to NBC4's request for comment with the following statement:
"Steven Vicario is a Lt. Col. In the Ohio Army National Guard. Lt. Col Vicario is assigned to Joint Force Headquarters. He is a drilling Guardsman, but also works full-time as a federal technician in the Operations Directorate. He is currently absent without leave."
A trial date has been set for June 25.