Sex charges filed against six men
By ED POLLI, Times Leader Staff WriterSIX MEN were arrested by local law enforcement agencies in unrelated cases within two days. Four men were booked into the Belmont County Jail on sex charges, according to information at the sheriff's office, and two more men who are brothers were arrested on rape charges in Harrison County.
Rueben I. Rockwell, 18, of 63796 Barnesville St., Barnesville, was arrested by Belmont County Sheriff's deputies on Thursday and was booked into the jail on a charge of rape. His bond was set at $20,000.
According to Chief Joseph Hummel, the Rockwell incident happened about six years ago while he was a juvenile. The case has been turned over to the Belmont County Juvenile Court.
Arthur L. Williams, 36, of 3 Wegee, Lot 54, Shadyside, was arrested Friday by Shadyside Police and was booked into the county jail on a charge of gross sexual imposition. His bond was set at $25,000.
The alleged victim, a 22 year-old Shadyside man, stated to police that on the previous night, Williams forced him to perform sexual acts against his will.
Williams, who works in the nursing home industry, was reportedly an acquaintance of the victim. On the night of the alleged incident, the victim had arrived at Williams' home seeking help for a problem he was having with his email account, according to police
Williams was arrested the following night by officer Chuck Doty. When interrogated about the incident, he confessed that the allegations against him were true, Shadyside police said.
In an unrelated case, Dustin M. Stenger, 23, of 239 West South St., Barnesville, was arrested Friday by Barnesville Police and was booked into the county jail on a charge of failure to appear on an alleged rape charge. Barnesville Police Chief David Norris said the incident happened sometime in September. Stenger's bond has been set at $10,000.
Mark Burghy, 35, of 71280 Barton Road, St. Clairsville, was arrested by Belmont County Sheriff's deputies on Thursday, and was booked on a gross sexual imposition charge.
Meanwhile, Harrison County Sheriff Mark Miller said that two brothers were arrested for the alleged rape of two females, ages 14 and 17.
Arrested were Kevin R. McKnight, 43, of 89797 New Rumley Road, Jewett, and his brother, Paul A. McKnight, 48, of 89801 New Rumley Road, Jewett.
According to Sheriff Miller, investigating officers Deputy Kris Miller, Detective Bill Jones and Job and Family Services were able to obtain enough information to make the arrest.
The sheriff said the investigation is continuing and there could be another arrest. He said he could give out no more information at this time because of the investigation. The case will be sent to the county prosecutor for his review.
The two brothers are being held in the Jefferson County Jail and no bond has been set.
Polli can be reached at timesleader@timesleaderonline.com
