Two men plead not guilty to sex crimes

ZANESVILLE – Two Muskingum County men pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to alleged sex crimes.

Skip Roberts, 26, of Hopewell, was indicted on charges of rape, a first-degree felony, and gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony.

The alleged crime was reported around 4:40 a.m. Dec. 28. Roberts allegedly digitally penetrated a woman who'd passed out after drinking too much alcohol, according to the initial Muskingum County Sheriff's Office report and statements by Assistant Prosecutor Ron Welch during court proceedings.

Roberts pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held in the Muskingum County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

In a separate case, Joel Drake, 22, of Nashport, pleaded not guilty to unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

On Sept. 9, Drake allegedly had sexual contact with a girl who was younger than 16 years old, the indictment states.

Drake was convicted of rape in 2011. Court records indicate he also failed to register as a sex offender last year and was sentenced to three years of community control and 50 hours of community service. He's being held in the county jail on a $200,000 bond.