ASHTABULA, Ohio — The owner of an Ashtabula meat shop has been indicted on more than three dozen felony charges after he allegedly sexually assaulted two teenage girls last month.
According to the Ashtabula County Prosecutor's Office, 62-year-old Thomas L. Volpi of Albino’s Meats & Catering was arrested Wednesday after a grand jury handed down the following charges:
- 12 counts of rape
- 11 counts of sexual battery
- Five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
- Nine counts of gross sexual imposition
- Two counts of furnishing alcohol to underage persons
Authorities say Volpi performed 14 different acts of sexual assault on a 15-year-old girl and two more on a 17-year-old girl. The alleged incidents apparently occurred on July 5 and 6 at Volpi's home on Walnut Boulevard as well as Albino's on Lake Avenue.
"Substantial" evidence was seized during searches at the home and the store, officials say. Vopli is currently being held at the Ashtabula County Jail.
In addition, prosecutors have charged 23-year-old Tiara Babbitt with three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor as a co-conspirator in the case. The acts allegedly involved the same 15-year-old girl Volpi is accused of raping.
Should he be convicted, Volpi could face a sentence of more than 200 years in prison.
