Jeromesville-area man posts $100,000 bond in gross sexual imposition case
ASHLAND, Ohio — A 72-year-old Jeromesville-area man pleaded not guilty Thursday to a felony charge alleging sexual contact with a child under 13. Court records show bond was posted Friday.
Carl A. Bicker faces one count of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, in Ashland County Common Pleas Court case 26-CRI-195. The complaint, filed Nov. 4, alleges the sexual contact occurred in Ashland County between June 2, 2023, and Nov. 2, 2026.
At Bicker’s Novembers 5th initial appearance, Assistant Ashland County Prosecutor Laura Stanley told Magistrate Paul T. Lange that detectives began investigating after receiving allegations involving a juvenile. Stanley said Bicker admitted to several of the allegations during an interview and acknowledged that the alleged behavior had occurred over an extended period. In response to a question from the defense, Stanley clarified that the allegations known to her at the time involved sexual contact.
Stanley requested a $500,000 cash bond, citing concerns for the child’s safety and asked the court to impose GPS monitoring if he posted bond.
Defense Attorney James J. Mayer III. proposed a $25,000 cash bond. He cited Bicker’s age, health concerns, longstanding ties to Ashland County and cooperation with investigators. Both attorneys said Bicker had no prior criminal record. Mayer said the defense had no objection to GPS monitoring or a no-contact order involving the child.
Lange set bond at $100,000, payable in cash, through a surety or with qualifying property or securities. The court also required Bicker to sign a personal recognizance agreement. Bond paperwork was filed Nov. 6.
Under the bond conditions, Bicker is subject to GPS monitoring and an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew at an approved residence. He is barred from contacting the child directly or indirectly and must stay at least 500 feet from the child and the child’s home. He also is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with other minors and must obtain written court permission to leave Ohio.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Courtroom 1 of Ashland County Common Pleas Court, 142 W. Second St. in Ashland.
