Facing rape charge, Chillicothe man gets more counts

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – A Chillicothe man is facing charges that he helped a Belmont County woman in the Internet rape of her 1-year-old daughter — and many face more charges in the future.

William Douglas Smith, 39, is held on $500,000 bond in the Belmont County Jail after pleading not guilty July 23 to one count of conspiracy to commit rape, a first-degree felony. He was indicted in early July on the charge and in connection with rape and gross sexual imposition charges against 27-year-old Peggy Horstman, of Barnesville.

Belmont County Prosecutor Dan Fry said that Horstman and Smith became acquainted through electronic communication and that Smith allegedly was “suggesting things for her to do to the child.” She then allegedly inserted her finger inside the girl and shared the pictures and video of the incident via the Internet with Smith and another man, whose identity is not yet known.

The alleged incidents occurred from February to May of this year, according to the indictment against Horstman. The girl’s father, who lived in the same house as Horstman, went to police, telling them he believed Horstman was sexually assaulting the child in the bathroom of their home.

Horstman pleaded guilty July 22 to one count of rape and now faces 15 years to life in prison. She will be labled a Tier III child sex offender. The second charge was dropped, and she will be expected to cooperate in the prosecution of Smith and, if he is found, the second man.

Fry believes more charges will be filed against Smith.

“Since the pictures were shared, we expect to charge him with other crimes,” Fry said.

Charges of disseminating or possession of child pornography will likely be pursued against Smith. Horstman is cooperating with the investigation, he said.

Fry said text messages between Smith and Horstman made prosecutors and detectives believe there could be more to the story.

“We went through them, and they were obnoxious to read,” Fry said.

Smith, whose exact address was not available, is due back in court next week, but Fry said the case will likely be continued.