JACKSON COUNTY, Ohio — A Jackson County man has been indicted on multiple sex-related charges after a juvenile family member came forward with allegations of sexual abuse. According to court records, Robert J. Nickell, 50, of Chillicothe Pike, Jackson is facing three counts of Rape, two counts of Sexual Battery, and one count of Gross Sexual Imposition. The charges are all felonies, with the most serious being 1st-degree Rape.
Nickell’s case was transferred from the Jackson County Municipal Court on February 14th, and the indictments were filed in Jackson County Common Pleas Court on February 21st. Nickell pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment on February 24th.
Jackson County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Regan set Nickell’s bond at $200,000, with the option of 10% cash or full surety. As of February 27th, Nickell remained in custody at the Jackson County Correctional Facility, and no other court appearances had been scheduled yet.
The allegations came to light after a juvenile family member reported to a neighbor that Nickell had attempted to rape her. Upon further investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies, it was discovered that Nickell had allegedly sexually abused the juvenile over several years.
