Clinton County pastor charged with rape, other alleged sex offenses

The Wilmington Police Department has announced the arrest of Silas H. Shelton, 48, of Morrow in connection with an ongoing sex offense investigation.

He was taken into custody Oct. 15 in Blanchester without incident. Shelton is a Warren County resident and had been serving as a pastor at a Clinton County church.

On Oct. 23, a Clinton County grand jury returned a 12-count indictment charging Shelton with:

• Two counts of rape, a felony of the first degree;

• One count of aggravated arson, a felony of the second degree; 

• Three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a felony of the third degree;

• Two counts of gross sexual imposition, a felony of the fourth degree;

• One count of sexual battery, a felony of the fourth degree; 

• One count of menacing by stalking, a felony of the fourth degree;

• One count of arson, a felony of the fourth degree; and

• One count of telecommunications harassment, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Shelton was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday, Oct. 28.

The WPD appreciates the assistance of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Blanchester Police Department during this investigation and arrest.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Codey Juillerat at (937) 382-3833. 

The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.