A couple of weeks ago when this story first came out, I sat absolutely dumb-founded as I read it! Having been around the fire service for 25+ years, I've learned that it seems to draw enough negative publicity - most of which is unwarranted and untrue - without allowing something like this to sully its reputation. I can only hope that the "powers that be" in Fairfield County do the right thing and give this fellow his walking papers.
-- WL
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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SC - A Fairfield County volunteer fireman is in jail charged with sexually assaulting a legally blind fire victim over the weekend. The fireman is also a registered sex offender.
Eight hours after Fairfield County's community fire department put out a fence fire Saturday, Ralph Marthers delivered the fire report to the victim.
"I laid the report on the table," said the victim. "He proceeded to put his hand down my shirt and pinched my left breast. I slapped his hand away, then he proceeded to put his hand up my gown, from the bottom and I slapped his hand away again."
Fairfield County Chief Deputy Keith Lewis said Marthers knew the victim.
"I looked over and he had his private parts in his hand... and I told him no and I used a few choice words and told him he better get out of my house before I shoot him."
Marthers, 51, joined the county fire department more than 25 years ago. In 1997, a jury convicted him of committing or attempting to commit a lewd act on a child under the age of 16. Marthers was placed on the state's sex offender registry, but stayed on the force.
Community Volunteer Fire Chief Greg Gerber says he never received a complaint about Marthers. "He is a good guy," said Gerber. "He was always first here at the fire station. You asked him to do anything, he would absolutely do it for you."
Gerber suspended Marthers from the department after his arrest Monday.
WIS asked Gerber if he was aware Marthers was on the sex offender registry. "Were you guys aware that he was on the sex offender registry and that he had a conviction and placed on that in 1997?" asked Jody Barr. "I don't know if I want to comment on that," said Gerber.
Marther's conviction came about a decade after he joined the force. "Could a firefighter join the force while being on the sex offender registry, with a felony conviction?" asked Barr. "No, you can't have a felony conviction on a sexual charge," Gerber responded. "Any reason this one slipped through the cracks... just not aware of it?" asked Barr. "Well, he's been a long time fireman, we had no problems from Ralph and we didn't see a need and we didn't notice anything," said Gerber.
"I kind of feel he [Chief Gerber] is responsible, because had he not given him the chance, this wouldn't have happened to me," said the victim. "I don't feel that he should have been in the position to come into someone's home and him already a registered sex offender."
Marthers is being held without bail in the Fairfield County Detention Center.
2 comments:
that is so sad. my heart goes out to the victim. i not only think the voulinter fireman should be let go, but i also think they need to be looking for a new cheif as well since his supior should be promtly fired as well for allowing that devent to stay on the force with a sex crime felony.
Kay I agree with you one hundred percent! As I was writing the blog . . . I was thinking the same thing and wondering why it had not happened already. I guess it just goes to show that even in the 21st century, good ole boy politics is still alive and well.
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