A Lower Frederick Township man has beenn charged with child rape and related offenses after he allegedly sexually assaulted a girl over several years, beginning when she was only 3 or 4 years old.

        The girl, now 12 years old, reported the crime to authorities this month, according to court records.

        David A. Fichter, 47, of the first block of Swamp Creek Road, was arraigned by Judge James Gallagher of Bridgeport District Court Aug. 13, who set bail at $500,000 cash.  Fichter was remanded to Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

        According to court documents filed by Lower Frederick Police, Fichter is accused of sexually assaulting the girl while he worked as a maintenance man at both Camp Hope for Kids at 129 Yerger Road and the former Crazy Carl's bar, 1005, both located in Lower Frederick Township. 

        Authorities said the assaults, dating from 2005 until approximately 2010, occurred when the girl's parents weren't watching her and Fichter took her to secluded areas at both the camp and the bar.

        Police said girl's father confronted Fichter at Camp Hope for Kids, where he was still employed Aug. 12, about the sexual assaults.  The conversation was recorded by Montgomery County Detectives. 

        Court papers state Fichter acknowledged he molested her and said, "You want to put me away, put me away.  Put me in jail."                      

        Fichter was taken into custody the same day, police said, after an extensive search of the Camp Hope for Kids property. 

        Police said the girl recalled five different times the incidents took place, but during an interview with police, Fichter, who later admitted to the assaults, said he assaulted her approximately 20 times between 2005 and 2006, the criminal complaint stated.  

        He reportedly told police the girl asked him to stop during the assaults, but he refused.  Police said Fichter said he stopped molesting the girl when she got older.

        Fichter was charged with five counts each of felony child rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, sexual assault, indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors, and additional misdemeanor charges of corruption of minors and indecent exposure. 

        He is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing Aug. 25 at 2:45 p.m. before Judge Maurice Saylor of Gilbertsville District Court.  Court records show he has requested a public defender.