Bath Village Police arrested a Bath man after investigating a reported sexual offense involving a child, police said.
Police charged Scott G. Watkins, 44, on Dec. 9 after what the department called a months-long investigation tied to an incident reported in August at Watkins’ home on East William Street in the village.
Police charged Watkins with attempted rape in the first degree, a Class C felony; sexual abuse in the first degree, a Class D felony; criminal sex act in the first degree, a Class B felony; and two counts of unlawful surveillance in the second degree, Class E felonies.
Police said their investigation determined Watkins subjected a female victim under the age of 11 to multiple forms of sexual contact and attempted sexual intercourse while she slept as a guest in his home.
Police also said Watkins unlawfully surveilled multiple female victims under the age of 11 using a hidden security camera in a bedroom.
Police processed Watkins and transported him to the Steuben County Jail for CAP arraignment, where the court remanded him on $2,000 bail, the department said. Police said Watkins later posted bail and was released after spending several hours in jail.
In a separate update, Bath police said they received “numerous calls for concern regarding the identification of victims.”
“At this time, all victims are identified and guardian’s are properly notified,” the department said.
Police added: “While there is still evidence pending, there is no evidence thus far to indicate that there will be any additional victims identified as apart of this investigation.”
Bath police said multiple agencies assisted in the case, including the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, Hornell Police Department, the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office, Steuben County Child Protective Services, and the Child Advocacy Center.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing and they expect additional charges after further forensic review of Watkins’ technological devices.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
