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Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey Paden announced that charges have been filed against a 24-year-old Martins Ferry man for crimes against a juvenile.
Brian Keith Bell Jr. has been charged with gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, following the investigation.
According to sheriff's reports, Lt. Sam Williams, lead investigator on the case, said that the incident was reported by the alleged victim who is now a teenager, at the end of March. He said that the accuser was under the age of 10 at the time of the alleged incident. Following interviews, processing of the evidence, and meeting with prosecutors, charges were prepared and filed on Monday morning.
Bell is currently in custody in the Guernsey County Jail. He is also wanted on an active warrant in Texas for aggravated sexual assault on a child.
Williams thanked Guernsey County Children Services and advocates from the Haven of Hope for their assistance.