GROGAN

Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Ray Grogan has dedicated his entire career to the cause of justice. No wonder he has such broad support from every corner of the county.

Raised by a single mom in a small apartment with little money to spare, Ray understands the struggles of working families. But adversity sparked his initiative to succeed and excel. By working 20 hours a week at a local Best Buy, he earned the funds to attend Catholic high school. Every summer, he worked at a local bank to pay for college, where he regularly earned a spot on the Dean’s List, graduating with highest honors and earning the “Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence,” the top honor bestowed upon a student by the university.

Attending law school at Ohio Northern University on a scholarship, Ray interned at a local law firm, where he learned the practical applications of Ohio law. He also volunteered at a public defender’s office, where he handled dozens of cases in court as a certified legal intern. 

After law school, he began his career in Marion, handling a wide variety of legal matters including criminal, family law, personal injury and probate. His legal mentor was (now Judge) Larry Heiser. Shortly thereafter, he found his true calling – prosecuting criminals who flaunt the law and prey on Marion County families. 

His first assignment was prosecuting cases that involve people who abuse or neglect children. Soon after, he was prosecuting felonies, the most serious crimes. In that role, he prosecuted many dangerous criminals. He sent rapists, drug dealers, and violent thugs to prison.

Next, Ray taught criminal practice at Ohio Northern’s law school and supervised the law students at the law school’s legal clinic. 

Then, following the death of the incumbent prosecutor, Ray’s friend and mentor, Brent Yager, the office of Marion County Prosecuting Attorney came open. By an overwhelming margin, county Republican leaders appointed Ray to the post. In 2018, he then won the Republican Primary election and the General Election by a nearly two-to-one margin. In 2020, he was elected again and hasn’t faced serious opposition ever since. By then, it was clear that Marion County strongly supports Ray Grogan. 

While many people would like to see Ray serve as judge, his true passion is prosecuting criminals. No wonder he’s twice been unanimously endorsed by the Marion County chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. 

Ray has overseen the prosecution of thousands of cases and personally handles numerous jury trials every year. He and his team have prosecuted every sort of crime from drug possession to aggravated murder and everything in between. Victims of crime appreciate his compassion and the fact he seeks input from them – and from law enforcement – in every case. 

As Marion County Prosecuting Attorney, Ray has filed tax foreclosures on people who refuse to pay their taxes, totaling more than $4.2 million. He also established the Prosecutor’s Intervention Program, which helps people trapped in substance abuse but otherwise posing no danger to the community, into treatment. 

Ray is the proud father of two sons and a daughter. His wife Carrie is a social worker who helps abused children. They live in Pleasant Township