Eye doctor facing more rape charges

ST. MARYS - A local optometrist awaiting trial for allegedly raping a woman in 2009 was charged Wednesday with rape and sexual molestation of a child.

Douglas Jay Wine, who turns 52 years old today, was arrested Wednesday morning and booked into jail on two counts each of rape, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition of a child younger than 13. The first-degree rape charges carry a mandated sentence of life in prison.

The indictment states the crime(s) against the child took place between Sept. 1, 2003, and June 1, 2006, but does not indicate where it took place.

The sexual battery charges identify Wine as the victim's "natural or adoptive parent, or a stepparent, or guardian, custodian, or person in loco parentis," which describes a person who assumes the role of a parent.

Hours after his arrest, Wine made his initial appearance in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court via audio-video equipment from the county jail in St. Marys, where he was being held. Judge Frederick Pepple reviewed the charges with Wine and ordered him released from jail on his own recognizance and a previously set $150,000 bond.

Before ending the hearing, Pepple ordered Wine to stay away from the victim and all minors and have no Internet access. The judge also ordered him not to leave the state of Ohio without written permission from the court.

Wine briefly questioned Pepple about his definition of a minor and was told it included anyone younger than 18.

No other court hearings have been set in the case.

In February, Wine was indicted for the rape of a 69-year-old woman at his home at 227 Candlewood Place, St. Marys. The charge was the result of a call placed to the Auglaize County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 20, 2010, from a woman in Homosassa, Fla., who claimed Wine raped her between 11:50 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. Oct. 10-11, 2009.

Wine, who is represented by attorney Ritchie Hollenbaugh, pleaded not guilty in the earlier case. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine if convicted in that case. No other court dates have been set.

In late June, Pepple ruled the prosecution could use as evidence certain statements made by Wine during a privately administered polygraph test conducted in November. Results of the polygraph test cannot be used, as stated in the Ohio Revised Code.

Authorities have released few details of the cases against Wine but did confirm that none of the alleged victims are his patients. Wine operates the Douglas Wine Family Optometry on West Spring Street in St. Marys and at another location in Oakwood.