Kent State Student Charged with Rape

The Portage County Sheriff's Office arrested a Kent State University student on charges of raping two 14-year-old girls.

Portage County Sheriff David Doak announced Friday the arrest of Benjamin R. Schwartz, 19, of 1936 Kimberly Drive, Franklin Township. Schwartz was charged with rape, a first-degree felony, and importuning, a fifth degree felony.

Schwartz was arrested Wednesday.

According to the sheriff's office, detectives started an investigation after a complaint came Feb. 17 that Schwartz had chaperoned a juvenile slumber party earlier that morning at his address when he allegedly separated one of the victims from the other juveniles at the slumber party and engaged in sexual activity.

The afternoon earlier, on Feb. 16, Schwartz allegedly had sexual contact with another 14-year-old female at the same address, according to the sheriff's office.

Schwartz engaged in sexual contact with one victim and forced the second victim to submit by force or threat of force, according to Portage County court records.

The case will be presented to the Portage County grand jury for further charges.