Recorder Mike Doran issued summons on sexual imposition charge

Lorain County Recorder Mike Doran has been issued a summons to appear in Elyria Municipal Court to face a misdemeanor charge of sexual imposition. The warrant was issued against Doran, a Republican, on July 7 after the court found probable cause to do so. Doran was out of town at the time the warrant was issued, but Elyria Police Chief James Welsh said his department had contacted Doran and his attorney, Justin Mackin, to set up a time for the recorder to turn himself in. On Tuesday, Mackin and Doran met Elyria police officers at the Lorain County Sheriff's Office where they issued him a copy of the charges against him and a court summons in lieu of arrest. Doran was fingerprinted, which is standard procedure for Elyria Municipal Court, but was not arrested or booked into Lorain County Jail, according to Welsh, who added that Doran was "cooperative and cordial" with officers throughout the interaction. The summons requires Doran to appear in Elyria Municipal Court on the morning of July 23. Welsh said the delayed appearance would allow the court to obtain a visiting judge to oversee the case. A request seeking comment was left with Mackin on Tuesday evening. Welsh also said that issuing a summons in lieu of arrest is typical in misdemeanor cases, even if a warrant has already been issued. "We followed our normal protocols, and Mr. Doran's position (as recorder) had no impact on our procedures, and he was treated like any other citizen would be in this investigation," Welsh said. According to court records, the alleged sexual imposition occurred on April 25 in Elyria. Welsh said that a complaint regarding the incident was filed with his department in mid-May, and following an investigation, his detectives' findings were turned over to a special prosecutor. The special prosecutor, attorney John Reulbach of Lakewood, found that the charge of sexual imposition was warranted and he filed it with the municipal court, which then issued the warrant. "We conducted an impartial investigation and the results of that investigation were turned over to a special prosecutor who found the charge of sexual imposition should be filed," Welsh said. "Once that charge was issued, we reached out to the defendant's attorney to have him (Doran) turn himself in and be issued a summons in lieu of arrest, we were able to do so." In Ohio, sexual imposition is a broad charge that can refer to unwanted sexual contact or causing a person to engage in sexual contact with another without consent. The Chronicle-Telegram has requested copies of the charge and the warrant against Doran. Doran was reelected as recorder in 2024, after initially taking office four years earlier. Elyria Law Director Amanda Deery has asked that Reulbach, who was city prosecutor for Avon Lake from 1995 to 2024, serve as the special prosecutor on the criminal case against Doran. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.