Dearborn County Man Convicted of Rape

Eric Streithorst was convicted on Friday following a four-day trail in Dearborn Superior Court II.

Eric Streithorst. Photo by the Dearborn County Sheriff's Office.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – A Dearborn County man has been convicted of rape.

Eric Streithorst was convicted on one count of Rape (Level 3 Felony) on Friday following a four-day trial in Dearborn Superior Court II.

Streithorst, 30, of Bright, had been accused of forcing sexual acts on a 17-year-old female, while she was unaware and unable to consent due to illness and alcohol use.

The defendant maintained his innocence, but State presented testimony from the victim and other witnesses, serological evidence and DNA evidence which strongly tied Streithorst to the rape

According to a news release, some witnesses testified that Streithorst provided the female with shots of alcohol prior to the rape.

The jury deliberated for approximately four hours before reaching a decision. Following the conviction, Streithorst was immediately taken into custody pending sentencing.

The charge carries a possible sentence of three to 16 years in prison, with an advisory sentence of nine years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 4.