Rape charges against a Rixford couple were bound to McKean County Court at a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Richard Luther.

William J. Tipton, 50, and Julie A. Tipton, 35, both of 11 Maple St., are accused of sexually assaulting a boy several years ago when he was about 6 years old.

William Tipton is charged with rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault of a child, all first-degree felonies; indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old, a third-degree felony; and corruption of minors, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Julie Tipton is charged with rape of a child, a first-degree felony; incest, a second-degree felony; indecent assault, a third-degree felony; and corruption of minors, a first-degree misdemeanor, court records stated.

According to court records, William Tipton would make the boy watch pornography, then he would sexually assault the boy. Also, he would allegedly make the boy watch him have sex with Julie Tipton, and on at least one occasion made the boy have sex with her, too.

William Tipton remains incarcerated in McKean County Jail in lieu of $150,000, while Julie Tipton is in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

William Tipton had a second case bound to court on Wednesday, as well. He is charged in a second case with two counts of possession of a firearm prohibited, court records stated.

Julie Tipton faces charges from the alleged firearm incident, as well. She waived a hearing on March 15 for two counts of knowingly allowing a prior felon to have access to a firearm, both first-degree misdemeanors. She is scheduled to appear for a last day to plea conference June 1 in McKean County Court.

According to court records, William Tipton allowed a 6-year-old to shoot a handgun, which he was not supposed to have access to because he was a prior felony. Tipton told police that the handgun and another firearm belonged to Julie Tipton, and they allegedly possessed them for protection.