MARIETTA — A 62-year-old Marietta man arrested Sunday for allegedly raping a child beginning more than two decades ago may have also have raped 10 or more other young victims, according to Washington County’s prosecutor.

Richard Curtis “Rick” Decker Jr., of 708 Front St. Apt. 14, was arrested by Marietta police after a victim who is now more than 30 years old reported being raped by Decker from the ages of 5 or 6 to age 18. He was charged with first-degree felony rape.

Police reports state Detective A.J. Linscott and Ashli Diamond, victim/witness advocate for the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office, met with the victim in October and the woman allegedly told Linscott, “I’m not even going to lie, I’ve been anticipating your visit. I think you are here because (Decker) is a serial rapist.”

Washington County Prosecutor Nicole Coil said she is not able to speak about how the police began aware that the woman might have been a victim, as it is part of the investigation.

The woman told detectives that she was sexually assaulted by Decker too many times to recall and it occurred on a frequent basis.

This isn’t the first time Decker has been accused of similar crimes against children and teens in the past 30 years. He was reportedly investigated in 1992 by Marietta police and was indicted for gross sexual imposition. He was later found guilty on a lesser charge in that case.

Coil said when Decker was arraigned Monday morning, she asked for a $500,000 bond.

“I asked for a disproportionately high bond, because I informed Judge (Janet) Welch this would not be the last victim,” Coil said. “We decided to go forward with the arrest because of what other crimes he might be perpetrating.”

She said the ages of the victims varied from age 5 to 17 years old.

“Most were middle school age girls,” Coil said.

Coil said the statute of limitations on the crime is 25 years from the time the victim turns 18.

During the investigation, Linscott obtained evidence necessary to arrest Decker. During Decker’s interview, he reportedly admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim as a child, but said he was unsure how old the girl was at the time.

Linscott reported Decker made statements that the sexual intercourse was not meant to be rape or molestation. Instead, he was teaching the victim how to satisfy her partner or husband.

“This is one of the most disturbing cases I have encountered. The number of known victims is already over 10, and I fear it is much higher based upon the statements we are receiving,” Coil said. “I am also particularly disgusted that the defendant shows no remorse for the crimes which he has confessed to committing. Rather, he makes excuses for his crimes and even tries to negatively implicate the victims.”

She said Linscott had interviewed 10 victims, while she spoke with five or six of them.

“We are concerned about the safety of the community,” Coil said. “It’s an ongoing investigation. It was imperative we get him off the streets. There will definitely be significant other charges coming. We plan to be working with the Ohio Attorney General’s office with this case.”

Coil explained Decker has had a lifetime of abusing drugs and alcohol.

“He used drugs and alcohol to lure his (teenage) victims to be more vulnerable to the rape and (gross sexual imposition),” she said. “That made his home attractive. It was the fun house because of the drugs and alcohol.”

She said he got them into a state where they were not as cognizant of what was going on.

“They may or may not have realized what was going on at the time,” Coil said. “The older girls were lured in with drugs and alcohol.”

Anybody who may have been victimized by Decker is requested to contact Det. Linscott and Marietta Police at 740-376-2007.