Local man is arraigned on rape charges

By Jane Beathard

Staff Writer

A London-area man was charged on Thursday with four counts of forcible rape involving a child younger than 13.

David A. Scott, 28, 5225 Fourth Ave. N.E., in Plumwood, appeared before Madison County Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Nichols, who appointed Nick Adkins to represent the man at a March 12 trial.

Scott remains in Tri-County Regional Jail under a $250,000 surety bond.

He was jailed on Dec. 17, 2012 after allegations surfaced that he forced the child to engage in oral and anal sex on Dec. 14. A fourth alleged sexual assault took place sometime between Dec. 26 and Dec. 30, 2011. All inflicted serious physical harm on the young victim, assistant county prosecutor Eamon Costello said.

If convicted, Scott will be labeled a sexually violent predator.

He could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

In other common pleas court arraignments on Thursday:

• Jason U.N. Copley, 19, 31 W. Fourth St., London, was charged with armed robbery and theft of the BP Station at 51 E. High St. in the city on Dec. 8, 2012.

Nichols appointed Shannon Treynor to represent Copley at a March 12 trial. He remains in jail under a $100,000 surety bond.

Copley was arrested on Dec. 16 after a tip led police to search his home. That search turned up items that allegedly linked Copley to the early morning stick-up.

Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony in Ohio, punishable by up to 11 years in prison and a fine of $20,000.

• Victoria L. Peitsmeyer, 26, an inmate of the Ohio Reformatory For Women, was charged with multiple counts of burglary, attempted burglary and receiving stolen property, stemming from incidents in June last year.

Nichols appointed the Ohio Public Defender’s Office to represent Peitsmeyer at a March 28 trial.

The woman is currently serving nine months for receiving stolen property in Franklin County. She is due for release on May 22.

• Adam E. Cole, 24, 59 S. Oak St., London, was charged with one count of felony domestic violence, stemming from an incident on Dec. 16, 2012. Cole was previously convicted of domestic violence.

Nichols appointed Josh Beasley to represent Cole at a March 26 trial.

Cole is currently free on bond and house arrest, except for work time.

• David L. Hanson, 22, 283 Bowman Court, Apt. A, London, was charged with one count of felony domestic violence, stemming from a Nov. 7, 2012 incident.

Nichols appointed Dale Frenz to represent Hanson at a March 26 trial. The man remains in jail on an unrelated charge.

• David T. Copley, 53, 84 E. Franklin, West Jefferson, was charged with possessing cocaine on Dec. 17, 2012.

Nichols gave Copley, who is employed, 10 days to hire a private attorney for a March 26 trial.

Copley is currently free on a signature bond.

• Billy D. Dixon, 27, 12 Columbia Ave., London, was charged with felony domestic violence, stemming from a Dec. 26, 2012 incident. Dixon has two previous convictions for domestic violence.

Nichols appointed Robert Bannerman to represent Dixon at a March 26 trial.

The man remains in jail under a $10,000 surety bond.

• Brittany M. Baldwin, 20, 11858 Crottinger Road, Plain City, was charged with burglary and theft, stemming from an Aug. 27, 2012 incident.

Nichols appointed Thomas Arrington to represent Baldwin, but set no trial date.

The woman is currently in jail, undergoing drug treatment for a Union County traffic conviction.

• Daniel C. Wright, 33, an inmate of Ross Correctional Facility, was charged with burglary and theft, stemming from a Feb. 14, 2011 break-in.

Nichols appointed the Ohio Public Defender’s Office to represent Wright at a March 28 trial.

Wright is currently serving 2.5 years for attempted burglary and failure to appear in Franklin County. His current release date is Aug. 10, 2014.