A Marion City councilman is facing his second indictment on child sexual abuse relating to the alleged assault of a 13-year-old. His wife has been indicted for obstruction of justice.
Ayers Ratliff was indicted this week on charges of rape and abduction and three charges of sexual imposition, all felonies, according to Marion County Common Pleas Court records.
His wife, Heidi Ratliff, faces two felony charges of obstruction of justice, two first-degree misdemeanor charges of endangering children and one first-degree misdemeanor charge of intimidation of a victim, court records show.
The judge of record is Matthew Frericks, who has presided over the Ratliff case over the past year. That case, alleging sexual misconduct involving a youth, was dismissed in January when charges were withdrawn by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Weaver are prosecuting the most recent case.
Ratliff first indicted in 2024, files lawsuit against Grogan and others
Ayers Ratliff was charged for alleged rape in May 2024. At the time, he faced one count of rape, one count of gross sexual disposition, one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of abduction.
In January, Grogan’s team asked the case to be dismissed without prejudice, meaning charges could be refiled. Grogan told the court more time was needed to investigate new leads. The dismissal came just days before the trial was to begin.
The newest charges come after Ratliff filed a lawsuit July 17 against Grogan, Weaver and 10 others. The lawsuit alleges false arrest and wrongful imprisonment, malicious prosecution, retaliation, libel and slander, conspiracy, abuse of process, violations of civil rights and loss of consortium, according to court documents.
This story will be update as more information becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Ayers Ratliff indicted on new rape charges, wife faces obstruction of justice
Reporting by Abby Bammerlin, Marion Star / Marion Star
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