Editor
The man wanted by the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office who was found in Kentucky was indicted on Dec. 3.
David Ford, 38, is charged with three counts of rape, one count of felonious assault and one count of aggravated burglary, all first degree felonies, with a specification that he is a repeat violent offender, said Assistant Prosecutor Scott O’Reilly.
The alleged victim did not know Ford before Oct. 13, when he entered her apartment and physically and sexually assaulted her before he was interrupted by neighbors and fled.
The victim immediately went to the police, O’Reilly said.
Ford knew other residents of the apartment complex, located at 3040 Angel Drive in Bethel, from a horse business they were involved in.
Ford pled not guilty at the indictment. His bond was set at $1.5 million and he is not allowed any contact with the victim or to be within one mile of her. In addition, Ford cannot commit any criminal or traffic offenses.
Ford is a registered sex offender in Grove City, Ohio, and spent a significant time in prison for attempted rape and kidnapping in 2000, O’Reilly said.
Ford had a warrant out for his arrest because of the incident, according to a press release from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office.
Grant County received a 911 call from a citizen on Nov. 29 who knew the location of Ford.
Grant County Sheriff’s Deputies and Kentucky State Police troopers responded to a horse farm in Crittenden, KY, where Ford was found hiding in a hay loft in a barn, Stratton said in an email.
After Ford was taken into custody, he went to the Grant County Jail in Williamstown, KY, until he was extradited to Ohio. Ford was taken without incident.
If charged with the maximum time for all the counts, Ford could face 73 years in prison, O’Reilly said.
Ford’s pre-trial is set for Dec. 15 at 8 a.m. with Judge Jerry McBride.