25°
Roy Andrews of the 4900 block Raudabaugh Road in Mechanicsburg was the youth leader for a Hispanic church in Harrisburg called “Iglesia La Fuenta” from 2014 through 2022, the police explained in a release. When attendance at the church declined, Andrews began volunteering his Sundays to drive children to a sister church in Mechanicsburg, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
After church, Andrews would take the children shopping at Wal-Mart and Five Below, and then to lunch at McDonalds', several people told the police according to court documents.
On April 7, 2024, the McDonald's manager called 911 for a non-active sexual assault reported to them by customers who claimed to be witnesses to the assault of two boys and a 9-year-old girl.
In the affidavit, the police describe the alleged "sexual assault" at the McDonald's located at 2112 Bumble Bee Hollow Road in Upper Allen Township. He was affectionate with the kids, kissing one on the cheek and one on the hand. He bounced the young girl on his thigh/knee while the old boys were playing. He put his hand on the girls' thigh which could be to hold her on his lap, but the police said it was "near her crotch area" he also rubbed her lower back. His genitals were involved once when he was seen adjusting his pants for "less than one minute," but the incident was grounds for the police to investigate the case.
During forensic interviews none of the children reported any abuse, instead, they talked about him wearing a swimsuit (while they wore suits) and playing with water guns and bath bombs during bathtime. The boys also told interviews about hanging around Andrews' home and "just playing". The only unusual element of the interviews was the boy saying their sister was sometimes in Andrews’ bedroom alone with him with the door locked, and they were heard "laughing, playing, and being quiet," as stated in the affidavit.
On Monday, April 22, the police arrived with a warrant to search Andrew's home and before they entered they attempted to detain him, so he rushed back inside, according to the affidavit. They followed him into his kitchen and tackled him as he "continued to resist police, requiring substantial force to overcome the resistance," the police said, adding "Detectives later located a suicide note the defendant had written and a firearm in close proximity to where the defendant was fleeing."
He was charged with the following according to his court docket:
- Felony Unlawful Contact With Minor - Sexual Offenses.
- Felony Indecent Assault Person Less than 13 Years of Age (five counts).
- Felony Corruption Of Minors - Defendant Age 18 or Above.
- Misdemeanor Endangering the Welfare of Children - Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense.
- Misdemeanor Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforcement.
His preliminary arraignment was held before Magisterial District Judge Mark Martin at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 22 where bail was set at $60,000, and he was remanded to the Cumberland County Prison after failing to post it. His preliminary hearing is set before Judge Martin at noon on May 2, as detailed in his docket.
The police believe there may be other "possible victims connected to Andrews" as stated in the release.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Upper Allen Township Police Department at 717-795-2445, calling or texting 717-850-UAPD (8273), or clicking here to submit a tip online www.upperallenpolice.com.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Allentown and receive free news updates.
