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LISBON -- A Leetonia man accused of allegedly having sexual contact with a 5-year-old child entered a not guilty plea during arraignment Thursday.
Scott E. Arter, 61, Leetonia Road, was charged with gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, for allegedly having sexual contact with the child victim on Aug. 24, 2025.
Arter appeared before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton, who continued his bond of $200,000 cash or surety, but with the additional requirement requested by the prosecutor of no contact with the victim or any of the state's witnesses. Arter is out of jail after posting the bond previously.
He was represented by defense attorney Tallie Orengia, who was there on behalf of Arter's defense attorney David Betras.
A pretrial was set for 1 p.m. Aug. 14 before Bickerton.
Also during arraignments, Wayne R. Tate, 51, Broadway Avenue, Wellsville, entered a not guilty plea to five counts of sexual battery for allegedly engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old child earlier this year.
He was also represented by Orengia, who was there on behalf of defense attorney David Betras. His bond of $200,000 cash or surety was continued. He's out of jail after posting the bond previously.
He's also facing a pretrial before Bickerton at 1 p.m. Aug. 14.
According to the indictment, all the charges stem from Tate allegedly engaging in sexual activity with the child victim on Feb. 8 this year.