Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Parole Denied for Muskingum County Child Rapist
(ZANESVILLE, OH)
On July 20, 2006, William Strange was indicted by a Muskingum County Grand Jury on two counts of Rape and three counts of Gross Sexual Imposition. Strange, admitted guilt to one count of Rape on November 1, 2006, and was ordered to serve a life sentence with the possibility of parole after ten (10) years.
At the time of the crime Strange was fifty-nine, and his victim only three years old.
During his initial interview, Strange denied the sexual allegations brought against him. Law enforcement requested Strange to cooperate using additional investigative techniques. Strange eventually contacted the detective and informed him that he had not been truthful during his interview and wanted to meet again.
During the second interview Strange admitted raping the child, emphasizing that he “may have done it for excitement, but I didn’t go after her for excitement” and that the child “enjoyed it.” Strange’s interview continued with details of the heinous acts he committed all the while blaming the child for his actions.
His first hearing before the parole board in 2016 was continued. Now, another ten years have passed and Strange appeared before the parole board once more to present his case again and ask to be released from prison and placed on parole.
The Ohio Parole Board once again denied the release of now 78-year-old William Strange.
“My office realizes the importance of protecting our most vulnerable victims,” said Prosecutor Welch. “This not only means prosecuting offenders but fighting to keep them in prison. “
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to oppose the early release of William Strange until the day he dies. Our Office, by way of Victim Advocate Jessica Haug and Prosecutor Ron Welch, submitted a letter to the Parole Board detailing the facts of the case and trauma inflicted upon the victim, opposing Strange’s early release.
https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/A538634
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