Timothy Michael Gaut

Click HERE for the story from the Tribune Chronicle.

A Hubbard man who has been accused of raping a 6-year-old girl on a live Internet broadcast complained Wednesday about his treatment in jail. Timothy Michael Gaut, who has a foot injury, is not allowed to use crutches, which could be used as weapons against corrections officers. Gaut complained that jailers and inmates have referred to him as the ‘‘Easter Bunny rapist’’ after seeing him hobbling around.

His attorney, Anthony Consoldane, said Gaut claims he heard voices in his head, that he can’t sleep at night and is on suicide watch inside the Trumbull County Jail. ‘‘I want him to be in a hospital,’’ Consoldane told Trumbull County Judge W. Wyatt McKay.

Gaut, 32, of Gary Drive, is due back in court May 2, after a psychological evaluation is completed. The evaluation is to offer opinions on the defendant’s competency and sanity. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Gaut was arrested Jan. 28 when police said he still was in the process of soliciting online a man who turned out to be an undercover federal agent posing as a man offering his young daughter — another federal agent — for sex. They settled on $250 for the sex.

Gaut also faces a federal indictment in U.S. District Court of Eastern District of Virginia for ‘‘coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and distribution of child pornography’’ since the federal agents were working out of Fairfax, Va.

Locally, Gaut, a one-time electrician, faces nine counts of rape that carry potential life sentences. One of those alleged rapes occurred in January and, under new laws, carries a life sentence with parole eligibility after serving 15 rather than 10 years. Other rapes occurred as far back as the fall of 2003 when the girl was age 3, the indictment states. Besides another charge of gross sexual imposition and one for importuning, Gaut also faces nine other counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor — all occurring earlier this year.

It was Jan. 26 and continuing through Jan. 27 that the federal agents, posing as ‘‘Alyson’’ and her father, ‘‘Rich,’’ communicated with Gaut in an online chat room and later by telephone, the indictments state.Rich told Gaut of his 11-year-old daughter, describing her as sexually experienced. Gaut inquired as to how much it would cost to have sex with her and elaborated on what types of sex he likes.

The indictments claim that Gaut offered to buy gifts for Alyson and described his own private parts before sending the live video of what police said was a rape. The federal officers immediately contacted Hubbard police after viewing the video and the local officers got the search warrant to ensure the safety of the victim, the indictment states. Police said the victim is now in the custody of Children Services.