Rapist sentenced to 15 years to life in prison
NEW PHILADELPHIA – A Dover man who pleaded guilty to raping a child was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 15 years.
Christopher Arbogast, 53, was initially indicted on 11 counts but pleaded guilty to three felonies, including rape, in April. Judge Michael Ernest imposed the life sentence earlier this month that includes a lifetime sex offender designation.
The grand jury indictment alleged Arbogast’s decade of sexual abuse started when the child was 4 years old.
Arbogast was also the victim of a swatting call in August, which authorities at the time said was unrelated to the later indictment. Dover police and other law enforcement agencies responded to an East Front Street home after getting a call reporting a man had harmed someone and was threatening others at that address. Police approached the home wearing body armor, carrying assault rifles and riot shields and using drones. Multiple times they called for Arbogast to come out of the house with his hands up. However, Arbogast was not there. The call turned out to be a hoax.