Watertown Daily Times
JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. — The Evans Mills Fire Chief has been arrested on three felony charges accusing him of having sex with a 15-year-old.
Shawn R. Rutmanis, 42, of the town of Philadelphia, was charged on Tuesday afternoon by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department with first-degree criminal sexual act, third-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree sexual abuse.
According to a press release, Chief Rutmanis had sex for a seven-month period when the girl was 15 and 16 years old. The arrest was the culmination of a two-month investigation by the sheriff’s department detective division after the girl made out a complaint with the sheriff’s departmen, said Investigator Judy G. Goodman.
The girl is not involved in the fire department, she said. The incidents allegedly occurred in an Eagle Avenue residence that Mr. Rutmanis owns. Investigators used a controlled phone call between the victim and the fire chief to verify the relationship, Detective Goodman said.
Fire Commissioner Thomas F. Newberry said Wednesday the fire department has been unable to contact the fire chief and talk to him about the situation. It will be up to the fire commissioners to decide what action will be taken against the fire chief, but they need to first get all of the facts regarding the situation, Mr. Newberry said.
“It came to a total surprise to all of us on this end,” he said. “I don’t know much and the fire commissioners are working diligently to get to the bottom of this. Action will be taken at some point.”
He was arraigned in Philadelphia Town Court by Judge Jessie Scheer, who set bail at $500. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s office had requested $30,000 bail. Mr. Rutmanis posted bail and is awaiting grand jury action, the sheriff’s department said.
Mr. Newberry said that the same level of fire protection will remain for the community, with the department’s fire assistants assuming more of a leadership role.
Mr. Rutmanis, a veteran of the fire department for about seven years, was appointed as chief in January.
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