A judge denied bond Wednesday for the owner of two popular downtown Athens bars after determining he could influence witnesses and was a risk to the community.
David Ellis Ippisch, 38, is accused of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman at Hedges on Broad, one of two establishments frequented by University of Georgia students that Ippisch operates on East Broad Street.
Police have released few details about the alleged assault, which the woman said happened Nov. 24 inside Hedges. Ippisch was arrested the following day on charges of rape, kidnapping, sexual battery and two counts of battery.
RELATED: Owner of popular Athens bars arrested on rape, kidnapping charges
He has been held in the Clarke County Jail since his arrest. On Wednesday, Ippisch was in court for a bond hearing and was again denied release.
In his bail order, Superior Court Judge Eric Norris also determined that Ippisch is not a flight risk but was likely to commit a felony if bail was granted. The judge ordered that bail was not appropriate.
Hedges closed Dec. 8 "for the holidays," according to a post on the business' Facebook page. It is unclear if Ippisch's other business, 100 Proof, is still operating.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Athens-Clarke police Detective David Harrison at 762-400-7361 or Lt. Derek Scott at 762-400-7068.
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