Case Against Roberts Dismissed by State

Charges against a Muskingum County man are being dismissed at the request of the victim and her family.

The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office said the case against John Roberts was dismissed after the victim and her mother didn’t want to move forward with trial because of the trauma the victim experienced mentally, emotionally and psychologically.

The case began in 2021 when the victim reported she had been sexually victimized by Roberts. Roberts was indicted on two counts of rape and one count of gross sexual imposition.

The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office said while victims don’t control the manner in which their criminal cases are handled, their input is a significant factor, especially when the victim is a minor and the case involves sexual assault.