Athens County man indicted on 21 charges including rape, attempted rape

Robert J. Collins, 62, of Glouster, appeared before the Athens County Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 5 after being arrested on a warrant on a 21-count indictment.

Charges include five counts of rape, felonies of the first degree; attempted rape, a felony of the second degree; two counts of corrupting another with drugs, felonies of the fourth degree; three counts of attempted corrupting another with drugs, felonies of the fifth degree; three counts of gross sexual imposition, felonies of the fourth degree; two counts of attempted gross sexual imposition, felonies of the fifth degree; two counts of intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case, felonies of the third degree; tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree; illegal use of minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, a felony of the second degree; and menacing by stalking, a felony of the fourth degree.

Through the course of the investigation, it was learned that starting in 1985 and continuing through October of 2024, Collins allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with at least six known minors, both male and female.  

Interviewed individuals reported to law enforcement that Collins would allegedly purchase and provide minors with alcohol, vapes and marijuana as well as buying them gifts and then forcing them to engage in sexual acts. Collins would then allegedly attempt to keep his victims from reporting these acts by providing them with money and/or making threats of harm or self-harm.

Collins was imprisoned in 1987 after being convicted of gross sexual imposition and again in 1994 for convictions of rape, gross sexual imposition and having weapons while under disability.  

Law enforcement began investigating Collins for the current charges earlier this year when several individuals came forward, making reports of sexual assaults by Collins.

Collins appeared before Judge Patrick J. Lang for arraignment purposes on Nov. 5 and was denied bond until such time that a no bond hearing is held on Nov. 13. Collins remains incarcerated at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.

This case was investigated by Investigators with the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office and the Athens County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office.

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