2 men plead not guilty to sex offenses

3/8/2006

NAPOLEON - A 44-year-old Defiance County man charged with rape of a child and a 63-year-old Napoleon man accused of soliciting sex from a minor both pleaded not guilty yesterday in Henry County Common Pleas Court.

Michael DuBree, of Ney, Ohio, who is accused of raping a child under age 13 on Jan. 28 or Jan. 29, is to appear in court again for a pretrial hearing April 4 and a trial two weeks later.

His $100,000 bond was continued and he remained last night in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, Stryker, where he has been held since Feb. 3.

If convicted of rape, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

Also yesterday, Edwin K. Baser pleaded not guilty to importuning. He is accused of soliciting a minor for sex on Feb. 4 in Napoleon. His pretrial was set for April 17 and trial was set for July 10.