McDermott Man Arrested Following Ongoing Sexual Assault Investigation

NEWS RELEASE

May 28th, 2026

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman announced that his office was contacted regarding a possible rape allegation, which led to a report being filed and the case being assigned to a detective for further investigation.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that the investigation has been ongoing and included the victim being transported for a sexual assault examination. During the course of the investigation, detectives located the suspect, obtained a DNA sample, and submitted that evidence to the crime lab for testing.

According to Sheriff Thoroughman, the investigation established that the juvenile victim had allegedly been sexually assaulted beginning at age 10. After recently receiving the crime lab results, detectives presented the case to the Scioto County Grand Jury, which returned an indictment and led to the issuance of an indictment warrant.

On Sunday, May 31, 2026, detectives located the suspect and took him into custody without incident.

Arrested was Jose Lopez, 46, of McDermott, Ohio. Lopez has been charged with two counts of

rape, both felonies of the first degree, and is currently being held without bond. He is expected to

appear in Scioto County Common Pleas Court at a later date.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges may be presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at (740) 351-1091.