Columbus firefighter charged with rape in Fairfield County

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus Division of Fire firefighter has been charged with rape, according to a complaint filed on Sunday.

Court records show that 38-year-old Christopher Allen Shaffer, of Pickerington, had a warrant for his arrest filed on Monday and faces one charge of first-degree felony rape. Shaffer is next scheduled to appear in Fairfield County Common Pleas Court on July 31.

A Columbus fire spokesperson confirmed that Shaffer was a member of the department.

"The Columbus Division of Fire is aware of the criminal charges against one of its members," Columbus Fire Batallion Chief Jeffery Geitter said. "The employee has been placed on administrative duty, in a role where he will have no contact with the public. Per division protocol, upon the conclusion of the criminal case, the Division of Fire will initiate an administrative investigation.