A Bridgeport man who police say has a long history of raping and molesting children pleaded not guilty Friday.

David Clemons, 45, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of raping a minor.

Officers with the Belmont County Sheriff's Department said Clemons had been raping and molesting local children for nearly half of his life. Some of the victims were in their teens and others as young as 3 years old, police said.

Childrens Services investigated Clemons in 1999 and 2003, but he never faced formal charges until now.

Bond for Clemons was raised to $1 million.

If convicted on all four charges, Clemons could spend up to 40 years in prison.

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