CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- A Chesterfield man has been arrested after being accused of rape and aggravated sexual battery involving two girls under the age of 13.
William Ayers, 48, faces four felonies including rape, aggravated sexual battery, and taking indecent liberties with child.
William Ayers (PHOTO: Chesterfield Police)
The alleged complaints were reported by one of his neighbors.
In court documents, that parent said two of her daughter's friends, ages 8 and 10, told their teacher that Ayers touched their private parts while they were visiting his home.
Chesterfield police said Ayers was a family friend who would occasionally babysit the victims.
“Because the victims are young it cuts both ways,” said CBS 6 legal analyst Todd Stone. “It's more aggravated if he's convicted of the crimes, but it also makes it tougher for prosecutors because they are relying on the testimony of an eight-and 10-year-old."
CBS 6 reporter Jon Burkett spoke to one of the children and her mother. They declined to comment on camera, but the girl said she was touched inappropriately on multiple occasions. Her mother said the whole situation has been traumatizing.
We tried speaking with a woman at Ayers’ home off Royal Crescent Drive, but she did not want to comment.
Court records also say that the mother who reported the alleged crime asked her daughter if Ayers had ever touched her when she was there?
The daughter said, "He would frequently ask for hugs and then spank on her butt."
The parent who reported the alleged crime said she doesn't want him speaking to her or anywhere near her kids at all.
Court documents show the alleged crimes happened between March and June of 2016.
Ayers was arrested on June 29. He is being held without bond at the Riverside Regional jail.
"Normally someone is presumed innocent and they'd be extended a bond, but because these are sex offenses, the defense has to come up with an argument on why bond should be granted," Stone said.
"If convicted, he will be put on a sex offender registry and will likely serve some serious prison time.”
Ayers is due back in court on September 13.
