By Joe Johnson
The Athens bar owner who was charged this week with raping a customer in a barroom storage room will remain in jail at least through the long Thanksgiving weekend.
On Tuesday, a day after David Ellis Ippisch was arrested, his case was transferred from Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Court to Superior Court, where it was assigned to Judge Eric Norris, who was off on Friday.
Ippisch’s defense attorney, Markus Boenig, said he will file a motion for Norris to set bond for his client when the judge returned to the bench on Monday.
Meanwhile, Boenig maintained that his client was innocent of the accusations against him.
“David Ippisch is a man of outstanding character and has been a resident and contributing member of the community for a long time,” Boenig said.
“Quite frankly, We are looking forward to our day in court because the charges against him are unfounded,” the attorney said.
Ippisch, 38, is facing charges of kidnapping, rape, sexual battery and two counts of battery.
According to Athens-Clarke County police, Ippisch assaulted a 21-year-old customer between midnight and 2 a.m. Sunday at The Hedges on East Broad Street.
He allegedly forced the victim into a bar storage room where he assaulted her, police said.
The Hedges is located next to another bar that Ippisch owns, 100 Proof.
Warrants for Ippisch's arrest were subsequently obtained, and he was booked into the Clarke County Jail at 8:17 p.m. Monday.
Police asked that anyone with information concerning this case contact Detective David Harrison at (762) 400-7361 or Lt. Derek Scott at (762) 400-7068.
Anyone who has been sexually assaulted or knows someone who has can contact The Cottage Sexual Assault Center. The agency provides a range of free services for children and adult victims of sexual and physical abuse, including medical accompaniment, advocacy, referrals and support groups.
The Cottage maintains a 24-hour crisis and information hotline at (877) 363-1912.