OTTAWA — A Continental man accused of child rape appeared in Putnam
County Common Pleas Court on Thursday for what was scheduled as a final
pretrial hearing.
Michael T. Huizenga, 51, was indicted by a
Putnam County grand jury on March 20, and charged with seven counts of
rape, a first-degree felony, and four counts gross sexual imposition, a
felony of the third degree. The state alleges Huizenga engaged in sexual
contact with a juvenile — Jane Doe, born in 2009 — every year since
2013.
According to Putnam County Assistant Prosecutor Todd
Schroeder, the state and Mr. Huizenga’s attorney at the time, Ian Weber,
agreed to a polygraph examination, stipulating results would be
presented to a trial jury when such was convened. During a final
pretrial held on June 28, Common Pleas Court Judge Keith Schierloh set a
jury trial date of Aug. 26 through 28.
Then, on July 25, Mr.
Huizenga changed counsel, dismissing Mr. Weber and hiring Charles Bates.
During last week’s pretrial hearing, Mr. Bates requested a postponement
of the jury trial. Judge Schierloh acceded, setting a final pretrial
date of Thursday, Sept. 5, and establishing a jury trial date of Oct. 15
through 17.
Mr. Huizenga was released on $250,000 bond on March
25, with the stipulations he have no contact with the alleged victim,
consume no alcohol or illegal drugs, submit to passport screening every
Monday and Thursday, and maintain residence at his Continental address.