County man on trial facing life

By Whitney Vickers

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XENIA — Michael Lancaster, 65, of Fairborn, is facing life in prison after allegedly committing sex crimes against a juvenile. He stood before a jury Wednesday, Sept. 21.

His charges include rape, a felony of the first degree; gross sexual imposition, a felony of the third degree and illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance, a felony of the second degree. He pled not guilty.

A forensic computer technician from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation testified Wednesday, followed by the victim’s mother, the victim and Lancaster. Photos of the crimes were taken on a cell phone, which were presented to the court as evidence.

The forensic computer technician, Jared Scott, highlighted his credentials and the process he utilized when examining the cell phone, which also found web and search history for child pornography-related sites and images. He was also asked to identify the photos, explaining that they depicted the victim being nude or male genitals along with the victim either standing near or touching the body part.

The mother was asked to identify dates and places they had lived, and her child based on the juvenile’s face, clothing and hands in the cell phone photos. The victim took the stand, saying they had to touch the man’s “privacy,” pointing their finger at Lancaster in the court room. The victim also said they were threatened to be harmed if they would have come forward with information at the time of the crimes.

When Lancaster took the stand, he identified his relationship to the victim’s mother and the victim. He explained a previous falling out that occurred between him and his adopted son, who is the victim’s mother’s boyfriend. He also said he was not using the cell phone that contained the photos at the time of the crime and that he had no knowledge of the email address attached to the cell phone.

Lancaster is currently being held at the Greene County Jail, where he has been since August 2015, with a bond of $750,000.

The trial is set to resume 9 a.m. Thursday.

Whitney Vickers | Greene County News Michael Lancaster testified in front of a jury Sept. 21.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/web1_DSC_0689.jpgWhitney Vickers | Greene County News Michael Lancaster testified in front of a jury Sept. 21.

Reach Whitney Vickers at 937-502-4532.