Sheriff's deputies arrested a registered sex offender early yesterday morning for abusing a 4-year-old girl.
A member of the girl's family told sheriff's deputies that Martin E. Chiki, 54, inappropriately touched and took photos of the 4-year-old, who lived just feet from his camper. Prosecutors charged Chiki with two counts of gross sexual imposition and two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor.
Chiki, now in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, was held on a $500,000 bond.
County Prosecutor C. David Warren said a fluke in Ohio law prevents prosecutors from seeking more than five years in prison for each sexual imposition charge. If Chiki had intercourse with the girl, prosecutors could seek life in prison. But because no intercourse took place, the maximum penalty is five years, Warren said.
It goes from life to five years with nothing in between - even with priors
Warren said. Chiki was convicted in 2004 of pandering obscenity involving a minor.
The sexual imposition charges, for sexual contact and touching the girl's genitalia, are both third-degree felonies punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Chiki's most serious charge, a second-degree felony for taking nude pictures of the girl, is punishable by two to eight years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Sheriff Pat Kelly said deputies arrested Chiki at 3:30 a.m. yesterday morning after a call from a member of the girl's family. Chiki touched the girl's genitalia and had sexual contact with her on Wednesday, according to felony complaints filed in Municipal Court. Seminal fluid was found on the child's pants.
They found pictures of nude minors in his home, a camper on Vore Ridge Road. As a result of those pictures, prosecutors added charges of creating and possessing child pornography.
We're going to do our flat-level best to make sure Mr. Chiki gets what he so richly deserves Warren said.
Deputies Doug Crites and Jack Taylor of the sheriff's office are investigating the case. Chiki will appear before Municipal Court Judge William Grim on Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. for a preliminary hearing.
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Dave Hendricks
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