Tips to ACP News Reveal Separate Indiana Felony Case Against Ross Rutschilling
ASHLAND, Ohio — Tips sent to ACP News about Ross C. Rutschilling led to a separate, pending felony case against him in Wells County, Indiana. The Wells County Sheriff’s Office has also released his booking photo.
Booking information provided to ACP News shows Rutschilling, 24, of St. Henry, Ohio, was booked into the Wells County Jail on May 14, 2026, on one count of child solicitation, a Level 4 felony. The booking information lists May 18 as the date he bonded out.
A newly provided copy of the Indiana court’s charge list shows 21 charges in the pending case: the child solicitation count and 20 Level 5 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Rutschilling appeared by video from the jail at his May 18 initial hearing and entered a not guilty plea, according to the court docket. The docket records a $1,000 cash bond as received by the clerk on May 26. The records provided to ACP News do not explain the difference between the reported May 18 release date and the clerk’s May 26 bond entry.
The Indiana case, State of Indiana v. Ross Rutschilling, No. 90C01-2605-F4-000006, remains pending in Wells Circuit Court. The docket shows prosecutors sought to amend the charging information in July, but the materials provided do not establish precisely when each possession count was added. His next pretrial conference is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Rutschilling also faces six second-degree misdemeanor charges in Ashland Municipal Court in connection with the investigation of Happy Mountain K9 Facilities near Loudonville. He pleaded not guilty Sept. 22 to five charges alleging that he organized, promoted, aided or abetted acts involving sexual conduct with an animal and one charge of attempted cruelty to a companion animal. Judge John L. Good released him on a recognizance bond and barred him from possessing or controlling animals while the Ohio cases are pending. His next Ashland hearing is scheduled for Oct. 13.
The Indiana and Ohio cases involve separate allegations. Rutschilling is presumed innocent of all charges unless proven guilty in court.
