YOUNGSTOWN — David Merchant, 68, of East Philadelphia Avenue, was arraigned Tuesday on four counts of rape that could result in him getting a life prison sentence if convicted.

The U.S. Marshaals Service arrested Merchant Monday after Merchant was secretly indicted by a Mahoning County grand jury Aug. 1.

Merchant is being held in the Mahoning County jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond, which was set during Merchant’s arraignment Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Merchant’s indictments allege he raped a child younger than 10 four times between the spring of 2018 and the spring of 2021. His indictments allege Merchant “purposely compelled the victim to submit by force or threat of force,” according to his indictment.