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By MIKE RUBINKAM; Times Leader Staff Writer
Saturday, September 16, 1995     Page: 2A

DALLAS TWP. — A township man who allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl was
captured in Florida on Sept. 7 and arraigned in Dallas Thursday night, police
said.
   
Ernest Chapman, 41, of Main Road assaulted the girl June 7 and June 8 in
his home and at his place of employment in Hanover Township, police said.
    Chapman was charged with rape, statutory sexual assault, aggravated
indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault,
corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of a child.
   
Police said they believe Chapman was involved with other girls and said
additional charges are pending.
   
After his arraignment before District Justice James Tupper of Dallas,
Chapman was sent to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of
$75,000 for the Dallas Township charges and $75,000 for the Hanover Township
charges.
   
Chapman was arrested by police in Kissimmee, Fla., after Dallas Township
police tracked him there. Dallas Township Police Chief Carl Miers, cq
patrolman Robert Jolley and Hanover Assistant Police Chief William Watkins
flew to Florida Tuesday and returned with Chapman Thursday night.
   
A preliminary hearing for Chapman on the Hanover Township charges is
scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday before District Justice Joseph Halesey of
Hanover Township.
   
On the Dallas Township charges, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10
a.m. Thursday before Tupper. However, Miers said the state may move to
consolidate the charges before one district justice.
   
Anyone with additional information about Chapman may call Dallas Township
police at 675-5251, Hanover Township police at 825-8521 or detective Deborah
Van Horn in the Luzerne County district attorney’s office at 825-1811.