A Conneaut city councilman has been indicted on more than 20 sex-related charges."
63-year-old Phillip Garcia represents the city's Ward 2 district. He was arrested by Ashtabula County Sheriff's deputies on Tuesday evening.
Garcia is "accused of sexually assaulting and / or paying for sexual activity involving multiple juveniles between 1997 and 2005," according to the Ohio Attorney General's Office."
Garcia is being held in the county jail.
He faces five felony counts of rape, 15 felony counts of compelling prostitution, two felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and four felony counts of corruption of a minor.
"The charges relate to five juveniles who were between the ages of 13 and 17 when the crimes allegedly occurred," the Ohio Attorney General's Office says. "Four of the alleged victims were employees of the defendant's catering business."
Authorities say it's possible there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified. Anybody with information connected to this case is urged to step forward.
According to the Star Beacon, Garcia was elected as the Ward 2 council member in 2011 and has won re-election in three subsequent elections.