Like Father; Like Son - The VARGO Family - Madison (NE of Cleveland) OH

Butler County sheriff’s detectives are describing the 22-count rape indictment against Benjamin Vargo of Madison Twp. as “the worst case of abuse” they’ve ever seen.Vargo, 25, of Middletown-Eaton Road, also faces two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for allegedly abusing two male relatives for more than eight years, said sheriff’s Detective Melissa Gerhardt. The abuse allegedly happened so many times and for so long, it was difficult to determine the number of charges to bring against Vargo, Gerhardt said.“It is the worst case of abuse I have ever investigated or been involved with at the sheriff’s office,” Gerhardt said of the alleged crimes, which occurred between January 2000 and December 2008.It’s a pattern of abuse authorities believe started years ago with Vargo’s father, David, who was convicted in 2002 of repeatedly raping a juvenile female family member. David Vargo, 69, is still serving a nine-year prison sentence.Since the elder Vargo has been behind bars, two of his six sons have committed suicide — one last month just a few weeks after telling detectives about Benjamin Vargo’s alleged abuse, according to detectives.Benjamin Vargo’s brother was reported missing on June 27 by their mother who said the boy “had been known to be upset and take long walks,” according to sheriff’s reports. The 15-year-old was found an hour later laying on the ground disoriented.“He made a disclosure about his brother,” Gerhardt said.Benjamin Vargo was arrested that night and charged with gross sexual imposition. He was charged late last month with rape involving another juvenile. Those cases are now part of the 24-count indictment, with the original gross sexual imposition charge increased to a rape count.Vargo is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 18 before Butler County Common Please Judge Patricia Oney. He remains housed in the Middletown City Jail. He also was scheduled to appear at 8:15 a.m. today for a pretrial hearing in Middletown Municipal Court, according to records.The investigation remains open. Anyone with information or knows of other victims may call Gerhardt at (513) 785-1257.

Madison Twp. man gets life in prison for raping family members
By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer
Updated 1:28 AM Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Madison Twp. man gets life in prison for raping family members
By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer
Updated 1:28 AM Tuesday, July 12, 2011

HAMILTON — A Madison Twp. man could spend the rest of his life in prison for repeatedly raping three juvenile family members.

Benjamin Vargo, 27, pleaded guilty in May to 24 felony counts, 22 counts of rape and two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Butler County Judge Patricia Oney sentenced Vargo on Monday to 15 years to life in prison. He also has been declared a Tier III sexual offender and will be required to register his address every 90 days for life if he is released from prison.

One of the victims was in the courtroom for the sentencing, but made no statements.

When Vargo pleaded guilty as charged May 26, Butler County Sheriff’s Detective Rick Bucheit read a statement about the crimes. Without the testimony from Vargo’s relatives, Bucheit said, this “abhorrent, incestuous, disgusting nightmare would still be happening.”

Bucheit told Vargo he had sentenced his family members to “life without parole” and he certainly “deserves the same.”

Vargo’s father, David Vargo, 69, was convicted in 2002 of repeatedly raping a juvenile female family member. David Vargo is serving a nine-year sentence, according to court records.


http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime/madison-twp-man-gets-life-in-prison-for-raping-family-members-1204877.html

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