February 9, 2020 by DIANE VALDEN
COPAKE—A Florida man was charged with first degree sexual abuse, January 27 at 1:45 p.m.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit began an investigation January 8 after receiving a report of alleged child abuse from Child Protective Services in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Senior Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, with the cooperation and assistance from Manitowoc Police Department detectives, determined that the alleged sexual abuse occurred in Copake during the summer of 2019 when the victim was less than 11-years-old, according to a press release from Sheriff David P. Bartlett.
Senior Investigator Dunspaugh and Deputy Andrew Horst arrested Xavier Canning, 22, on one count of first degree sexual abuse, a class D felony.
Mr. Canning is a resident of North Port, Florida, who sometimes resides with family in Copake.
He was arraigned before Greenport Town Justice Barry Sack and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. He was scheduled to return to court at a later date. This arrest was made in cooperation with the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, the Manitowoc Police Department (WI), the Manitowoc Human Services Department (WI), the Willow Tree Child Advocacy Center (WI), and the Child Advocacy Center of Columbia-Greene Counties, Hudson.
The investigation is continuing and any other potential victims are asked to contact Senior Investigator Dunspaugh at 518 828-3344.