AVON LAKE, Ohio — The former chief of the Avon Lake Fire Department was sentenced Thursday to spend the next 15 years behind bars after pleading guilty to rape charges, according to court officials.
Lawrence Grizzell, 59, served as fire chief for the city from 2001 to 2005 before he stepped down. He remained with the department as a platoon lieutenant before retiring in 2015.
Grizzell had previously pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but changed his plea to guilty in late March, according to court documents.
When released, Grizzell will be required to register as a sex offender, court officials said.
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