Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Jury Convicts Zanesville Man for Rape, Kidnapping
Jurors in Muskingum County returned guilty verdicts on all counts against a Zanesville man charged with multiple counts of sex crimes and kidnapping during a February 28 trial in Common Pleas Judge Kelly Cottrill’s court.
Keith D. Hostottle, Jr., age 34, of Zanesville, was found guilty by a jury of his peers in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court. Hostottle was found guilty of two counts of gross sexual imposition, kidnapping, kidnapping with sexual motivation, and three counts of rape.
In 2021, the victim disclosed that Hostottle had repeatedly sexually assaulted her over the course of several years, prompting the investigation by authorities.
Hostottle will appear in court for sentencing at a later date.
Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch says the community is safer because of the courage of the victim to come forward.
“Another sexual predator is off the streets, thanks to the courage of a child,” Prosecutor Welch said.
Prosecutor Welch says such cases can be difficult, but the Prosecutor’s Office is up to the task of obtaining justice for the victim.
“Child sexual abuse cases are amongst the most difficult cases to obtain a guilty verdict, but our office continues to meet the challenge,” Prosecutor Welch said. “The jurors in this case deserve credit for listening carefully to the evidence, applying the law, and reaching the verdict justice demanded.”
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