Dayton Man Charged with Sex Crimes

DAYTON – Dayton resident Aidan J. Gemmell, 18, has been charged with five counts of first-degree child rape, a Class A felony. His first court appearance was last week, where he appeared before Columbia County Superior Court Judge Scott Gallina and was appointed a defense attorney.

Gemmell has not yet entered a plea. He has also not been arrested on the charges.

“We’re trying to work with him and his family, and they have been cooperative,” Columbia County Deputy Prosecutor Dale Slack told The Times last Thursday. “We don’t want to see him imprisoned so much as we want to see him get the help he needs.”

Gemmell is charged with five instances of sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 12 between March and May of this year. Each of those instances occurred after he turned 18.

A Class A-felony conviction can carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or $50,000 in fines for each count. Gemmell is scheduled for formal arraignment in Columbia County Superior Court later this month.