Shaffer Changes Plea

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A CareyTown Preschool teacher appeared in court to change their plea.

32-year-old Derek Shaffer originally pleaded not guilty to 19 counts against him that included rape and kidnapping. He was arrested August 9th after a parent filed a complaint with the school. Wednesday he changed his plea to guilty for 8 counts including two counts of kidnapping (a first degree felony), two counts of rape (a first degree felony), three counts of gross sexual imposition (a third degree felony), and one count of pandering obscenity of a minor (a fourth degree felony).

Assistant Prosecutor Ron Welch said the three victims who came forward say the incidents took place in Shaffer’s classroom between 2015 and 2018 where they were forced to sit on Shaffer’s lap while he assaulted them. As part of the plea deal, Shaffer met with investigators to discuss any other children who may have been abused by him so their families could be notified.

Shaffer will be sentenced at a later date and could face up to life in prison. Shaffer is currently being held Muskingum County Jail on $1,000,000 bond.