An Arcanum man has been arrested and charged in Mercer County Common Pleas Court with six counts of gross sexual imposition.

George K. Byrd, 51, faces six third-degree felony charges involving alleged sexual contact with children who were under the age of 13 at the time of the reported offenses.

The criminal complaint alleges the offenses occurred between 2013 and 2023. One charge involves an alleged offense in Darke County during 2013, while the remaining five charges involve alleged offenses in Mercer County between 2020 and 2023.

The Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requested an arrest warrant on July 17. Court records show the warrant was received by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office that day and returned as executed after Byrd was arrested and transported to the Mercer County Jail on July 20.

Prosecutors requested a $50,000 cash bond and several conditions, including that Byrd have no contact with the alleged victims or members of their immediate families.

The affidavit supporting the complaint remains sealed because it contains sensitive information involving juvenile alleged victims.

The charges are allegations, and Byrd is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.