A Belmont County man is accused of repeatedly molesting and raping numerous children over the past 20 years.

David Clemons, 45, is charged with three counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery.

Police said he committed sex crimes against four children ranging from age 3 to teens.

Investigators expect those charges to change and possibly increase if more possible victims come forward.

Children's Services investigated Clemons in 1999 and in 2003, but he was never formally charged.

"What they received back then was just a glimpse and now we're dealing with it," said Belmont County Detective Ryan Allar. "This is the extreme case. This is why the laws were written. This is ... what we're here for."

Sheriff Fred Thompson asked anyone who knows a potential victim or who may have been a victim to come forward.

"We've got to stop the cycle. This has to end. It's got to end now," Allar said.

Clemons remains in jail. Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.