Otway Man Arrested for Rape

NEWS RELEASE

January 31st, 2026

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman stated that one of his detectives was contacted on Saturday, January 31, 2026, by a mother reporting that her 14-year-old child had reported being sexually assaulted.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that a deputy and detective responded to the residence and initiated an investigation. The investigation revealed that the sexual assaults have been occurring since the victim was 13-years-old. The suspect was transported to the station for an interview, then

arrested afterwards.

Arrested was Derek Ray Stanley, age 36, of Otway, Ohio. Stanley has been charged with ten (10) counts of rape, a felony of the 1 st degree. Stanley is currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $1,000,000.00 bond. He will appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Monday, February 2, 2026.

This is still an ongoing investigation, anyone with information should contact Detective John Cart @ 740-354-7327