Ex-Ohio choir director indicted on sex charges


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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A former choir director at an Ohio high school has been indicted on charges related to accusations he solicited sex and naked pictures from teenage boys in exchange for positions in the state fair's choir.

The Franklin County prosecutor's office says Zachary Ruppel faces 13 counts including pandering obscenity involving a minor, compelling prostitution and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said Thursday that Ruppel is accused of soliciting a sex act and nude pictures from several students between February 2012 and July 2013.

The 27-year-old Ruppel is the former choir director at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus. He's a former choir staff volunteer for the state fair's All Ohio Youth Choir.

Defense attorney Mark Gusley has declined to comment.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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