Ohio firefighter arrested, accused of rape

LANCASTER, Ohio — A Columbus firefighter has been arrested and accused of rape, according to court records.

Fairfield County Common Pleas Court records show prosecutors are recommending that Christopher Shaffer, 38, of Pickerington, be held in jail on a $350,000 bond. A criminal complaint shows the rape occurred on Sunday and that the victim was “substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition or because of advanced age.”

WCMH Channel 4 reports Shaffer has been placed on administrative duty by the Columbus Division of Fire. He was arrested on Sunday.

“The Columbus Division of Fire is aware of the criminal charges against one of its members,” Columbus Fire Batallion Chief Jeffery Geitter tells WCMH. “The employee has been placed on administrative duty, in a role where he will have no contact with the public. Per division protocol, upon the conclusion of the criminal case, the Division of Fire will initiate an administrative investigation.”

The president of Columbus Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 67 tells WBNS Channel 10 that the union is taking the charges “very seriously” and that it holds its members to the “highest standards of trust and responsibility.”

Records show Shaffer is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning.