COPAKE – The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office has charged a Florida man with sexual abuse in the first degree.
The Special Victims Unit began the investigation on January 8 after receiving a report of alleged child abuse from Manitowoc, Wisconsin Child Protective Services.
Senior Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, with the cooperation and assistance of Manitowoc Police detectives, determined the alleged sexual abuse occurred in the Town of Copake during the summer of 2019 at a time when the victim was less than 11 years old.
Xavier Canning, 22, was arrested on the felony charge of sexual abuse.
He is a resident of North Port, Florida, who sometimes lives with family in Copake.
Canning was arraigned and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.
The arrest was made in cooperation with the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, the Manitowoc, Wisconsin Police Department, Manitowoc Human Services Department, the Willow Tree, Wisconsin Advocacy Center and the Dr. Stephen and Suzanne Child Advocacy Center in Hudson, NY.
The investigation is continuing and if there are any other potential victims, you are asked to contact Sr. Investigator Mark Dunspaugh at 518-828-3344.
