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57°
Thursday, sep 12
Tag:
Sexual Assault
News
Man Drugs, Assaults 6+ Women He Meets On Sugar Daddy Site: Bucks County DA
At least six women are known to have been sexually assaulted after going out with a man they met on an online dating site who ended up drugging them, District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and Bristol Township Police Chief Robert Coulton announced on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Andrew Gallo, 40, of Copper Beech Lane, Bristol Township, was charged with five counts of rape by causing impairment, six counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, four counts of strangulation, two counts of selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverage to minors, and one count each of s…
Police & Fire
Convict Sexually Assaults 2 Woman In Elizabethtown Parking Lot, Police Say
A convict was found with blood coming from his face in an Elizabethtown parking lot following two sexual assaults, borough police announced on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Richard J. Copenhaver III, 29, of Mountville, was found in the 200 block of South Market Street in Elizabethtown Borough by Corporal Goshen and Officer John Stewart at 9:10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, as detailed in a release. Copenhaver had a "laceration to her nose and was covered in blood," as stated in the release, where police also noted he was "under the influence." Although he was uncooperative and resisted he…
News
Officer-Involved Shooting Near Penn Township Massage Spa 'Completely Justified': Lancaster DA
A Northern Lancaster County Regional Police officer was "completely justified" in using deadly force to stop an armed robber from fleeing a massage business — Calm Spa — after allegedly raping two of its female employees, authorities said Tuesday, Sept. 10. Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams announced the conclusion of an investigation of the officer-involved shooting at the Penn Town Shopping Center, Penn Township, where the fleeing and armed suspect was shot twice by an officer responding to a "burglary in progress." Charges have been filed against the suspect, 36-year-old C…
News
Police Shoot Accused Robber, Rapist Fleeing Crime Scene: Lancaster DA
A 36-year-old Middletown man who was shot by police while fleeing a robbery scene has been charged with several offenses, authorities said. Christopher Rivera is charged with multiple counts of robbery, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual assault, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. Officers with the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department were dispatched for a “burglary in progress” at the Calm Spa located in Penn Town Shopping Center in the 1200 block of Lancaster Road in Manheim at 8:17 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27. A preliminary re…
News
Convicted Child Rapist Extradited To PA From England: DA
A convicted child rapist was extradited to Pennsylvania from England after fleeing the country, authorities said. Gerard Zalewski, 41, skipped bail in April 2006 before his sentencing hearing on child rape charges, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and FBI Philadelphia Special Agent In Charge Wayne A. Jacobs. Zalewski was located 10 years later in Lancashire, England when he was convicted and sentenced to prison on charges similar to those he was convicted of in Montgomery County, they said on Tuesday, Aug. 27. An investigation r…
Police & Fire
Victims Speak Out At Sentencing Of PA Man Who Filmed Sex Assaults On Victims 2 To 12
A Bucks County man who pleaded guilty to recording the sexual assaults of three children and sharing the footage on social media has learned his fate. Brian Nathaniel Harris, 29, of Bristol, was sentenced to 18 to 42 years in the state correctional institution by Common Pleas Judge Gary B. Gilman, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office announced Friday, Aug. 23. He was also sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to undergo sex offender treatment and a mental health evaluation. Relatives of the victims packed a courtroom at the Criminal Justice Center on Friday wit…
Police & Fire
Incapacitated Rideshare Passenger Sexually Assaulted By Driver In Luzerne County: PSP
A 39-year-old Lyft rideshare driver is accused of sexually assaulting a passenger who was incapacitated by an inhalant in Luzerne County, authorities said. The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop P Criminal Investigation Unit is currently investigating the sexual assault that occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Edwin Valentin Perez, the driver from Hazle Township, was taken into custody on Wednesday, Aug. 21, according to Pennsylvania State Police. It is believed that the male victim was incapacitated by an inhalant-type substance from Valentin Perez during the ride, police said. The…
News
'I Am Going To Prison' Accused PA Child Sex Abuser Told Victim: Affidavits
Multiple children as young as 4-years-old have told police about sexual assaults by a Dallastown man, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice after York County Regional Police announced his arrest. John P. Grove, 50, has been charged in six cases of child sexual, court records show. One victim, now in his 30s, was key in the investigation explaining some of the earliest abuse began in 1998. During interviews, it came out that over the years Grove gained access to multiple victims at his home or homes where he often visited, according to one of six affidavits of prob…
News
Man Convicted Of Raping Girl Under 13: Bucks DA
A 61-year-old Bristol Township man was convicted on Tuesday, Aug. 13 of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a young girl, authorities said. Gerald Lee Roberts was found guilty of rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child, and indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office. He will be sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Stephen A. Corr on Nov. 22. Roberts posted $5,000 bail, according to court records. The victim testified during the trial that she was sexuall…
Police & Fire
Bucks County Man Arrested For Sexual Contact With Child: Police
A 46-year-old man from Bucks County was arrested for indecent sexual assault on a minor, authorities said on Monday, Aug. 12. On July 27, Warrington Police responded to the 2200 block of Pileggi Road for the report of an indecent sexual assault that occurred to a 9-year-old child, police said. Jose Armando Mestanza Ortiz was positively identified as the suspect, police said. Mestanza Ortiz was staying at the residence of the 9-year-old's family when the assault allegedly occurred, they said. On Friday, Aug. 9, a warrant was served on Mestanza Ortiz, where he was placed under arrest and tr…
Police & Fire
Naked Sex Offender Found Walking Around South Annville Twp., Police Say
A who sexually assaulted a child has been charged again after he was spotted walking around naked in South Annville Township, Western Lebanon County Regional Police Department announced on Friday, Aug. 9. Nestor Peraza, 24, of Annville, was seen by locals walking around naked in the 900 Block of Royal Road in Annville around 7:44 a.m. on July 28, the police detailed in the release. Officers arrived to the area to find the 5'5" tall, 175 lbs man not wearing any clothes as he walked through private property. He was soon identified and, "EMS was summoned to the scene and …
Police & Fire
Woman Wakes Up To Naked Stranger In Her Home: West Chester Police
A 34-year-old man from West Chester has been charged with sexual assault after an attack on a woman, authorities announced on Friday, Aug. 9. West Chester Borough Police Officers were called to a disturbance at a home in the 100 block of West Gay Street, West Chester Borough, on Thursday, July 25. Police spoke with the victim and the offender who was identified as Yoni Lopez. The victim stated that she woke up in the early morning hours to find Lopez on top of her with no clothing on, police explained in the release. The victim then yelled at Lopez to leave, which he did. Lopez…
Police & Fire
Burger King Worker Sexually Assaulted 2 Underage Co-Workers, Chester County DA Says
A worker at a Burger King in Chester County has been arrested for sexually assaulting a younger co-worker while "grooming" another for abuse, authorities announced on Thursday, Aug. 8. Anthony Burns, 37, of Spring City, had unlawful sexual contact with two minors under the age of 16, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office. Burns has been charged with Statutory Sexual Assault, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Unlawful Contact with Minors, and other related charges, the DA said. The defendant allegedly used his status as an employee of the Burger King in …
Police & Fire
Teen Arrested For Rape Of Child Under 13 In Chester County
An 18-year-old man from Chester County has been arrested in connection with the rape of a young child, authorities said. German Domingo-Garcia of West Grove was charged with rape of a child and indecent assault of a child under 13 among other charges, according to the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department. On Saturday, Aug. 3, at approximately 8:25 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in West Grove Borough for a report of a sexual assault of a minor child. Domingo-Garcia was arrested and later transported to Chester County Prison where he was held on $150,000 ba…
Police & Fire
Girl Sexually Assaulted By PA Treatment Center Staffer In Twisted Game Of Truth Or Dare: PD
A 26-year-old man working at a nonprofit organization specializing in behavioral healthcare is wanted on a warrant out of Chester County, PA for sexually assaulting a female client, according to police paperwork obtained by Daily Voice. West Whiteland Police Detective Michael Buchmann said in a criminal complaint that on July 3, 2024, he got a call from the Devereux Director of Quality Improvement regarding Shakur Semaj Austin, saying there were rumors circulating that he had engaged in sex acts with a juvenile client. According to its website, Devereux Advanced Behavioral He…
Police & Fire
Felon From NJ Charged With Child Rape In Lebanon, PA: Affidavit
A New Jersey man with a felony criminal record in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey has been arrested on child rape charges police announced on Thursday, Aug. 1. Jose Enrique "Enrico" Rivas, 47 of Newark, NJ, was arrested in New Jersey on a warrant issued by Lebanon City Police on Wednesday, July 31, as detailed in the police release. Rivas will be extradited to Lebanon, PA, the police explained. A 13-year-old girl's guardian made the ChildLine call after the girl told them "I woke to his fingers in me and then he put his pp in me" and "I was just raped and he is still upstairs,…
Schools
Elizabethtown School Staff Member Who Sent Students Nudes Gets Prison Time: DA
A 38-year-old former Elizabethtown school district employee has been sentenced in connection to sexual relationships with two middle school boys, the Lancaster District Attorney's Office told Daily Voice on Tuesday, July 30. Megan Carlisle, of the first block of Greenleaf Lane, pleaded guilty before Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker for the following charges on Feb. 28, 2024: Felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (two counts). Felony statutory sexual assault victim (two counts). Felony unlawful contact with a minor obscene or sexually explicit (two counts). Fe…
News
Wanted
: Sex Offender Convicted On 191 Counts Escapes Courthouse In PA
A convicted sex offered left his trial and hasn't been seen since, officials announced on Monday, July 15. Corey Dean Harris, 47 of Clearfield, PA, left the Jefferson County Courthouse during a lunch break and never returned on Friday, July 12, the County District Attorney and Sheriff detailed in separate releases. DA Jeff Burkett's statement reads in part: "Corey Dean Harris, is now on the run. During his jury trial today, Harris never came back after the lunch break. He was subsequently convicted of 191 counts of child sexual abuse related charges." The charges — n…
Police & Fire
Child Foot Porn Made By Lancaster Babysitter Charged In Multiple Abuse Cases: DA
Photographs found on a former babysitter's computers (following a warranted search of his home) have led Pennsylvania State Police to identify yet another victim he abused, according to a release Lancaster County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, Jan. 23. Eric Dorwart, 54, of the 500 block of Pleasure Road in Manheim Township has been charged for the third time in a year for sexually assaulting children, the DA explained. Originally, Dorwart was matched by DNA to the cold case assault of a boy and girl on West Newport Road, Gordonville, Leacock on April 4…
News
Cold
CASE: Troopers Seek Lehigh Valley Woman Who Disappeared Without A Trace
More than 30 years after she vanished from her Fountain Hill home, state police continue the search for Frances Mary Kiefer. Kiefer was 44 years old when she was last seen on March 22, 1994, troopers said. She was in bed when her husband woke up and went to take a shower, but was nowhere to be found when he returned, according to the Charley Project. The family car was missing, as was the medicine she took daily for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Bethlehem's Saucon Park, some four miles from her South Hoffert Street ho…
News
Bergen County Pastor Repeatedly Performed Sex Acts On Child: Criminal Complaint
A 74-year-old Paramus church pastor has been arrested and charged with 21 counts of sexual offenses for disturbing sexual assaults on a girl between ages 13 and 18 for years, authorities announced Friday, July 12. Stephen E. Sweet, the pastor at Grace's Lutheran Church in River Edge, became the center of an investigation on Thursday, July 11, on a tip that he'd sexually assaulted a juvenile in the past, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. ** WARNING: The following news article contains graphic and disturbing information. Reader discretion is advised ** Sweet sexually assaulted…
Police & Fire
Suspect In Custody For Dollar Tree Sexual Assault In Philly: Police (
Updated
)
A suspect surrendered to police in connection with a sexual assault in Philadelphia last month, authorities say. Gary A. Miles, 35, is charged with indecent assault, indecent exposure, open lewdness, and harassment, said city police on Thursday morning, July 11. A woman was attacked at the 56 E. Snyder Avenue Dollar Tree on June 23, PPD said previously. Store employees told police the suspect frequented Snyder Pizza and the nearby I-95 underpass, where he may park a vehicle, authorities said. "Additional updates, including charges and a mugshot, will be provided once charg…
News
Convicted Child Porn Collector Accused Of Rape In Lebanon City: Police
"Mondays Got Me Like," Samuel James Rhoads's t-shirt reads in his first Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Sex Offender Registry photo on March 13, 2024 — but Monday really got him on July 8, when police announced he was charged with rape. When police announced the new charges, Rhoads, 20 of Lebanon, was still in the Lebanon County Prison serving a four-month to 11 months and 29 days sentence for felons for child pornography and unlawful contact with a minor/sexual abuse, court records show. Rhoads was charged with Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Statutory…
News
Lebanon Sex Offender Arrested Again After Separate Investigation Police Say
A 34-year-old convicted rapist is back behind bars after a police investigation into someone else led officers to discover he wasn't up to date on the Pennsylvania State Police Sexual Offender Registry, according to a release on July 3. Luis Miguel Rivera Ruiz's failure to update his lifetime sexual offender information appears to have come to light when Lebanon City police "responded to a report of a suspicious person in the 200 block of Guilford Street on June 26, 2024," according to multiple police releases. The following day, Anthony George Benavidez, was charged with Lo…
News
PA Jehovah's Witness Member Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Girl While She Slept: AG
A 56-year-old Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to prison for sexual assault of a girl that began more than 20 years ago, officials said. Luis Manuel Ayala-Velasquez, 56, of Reading, was arrested last year after a grand jury investigation where sexual assault charges were recommended against more than a dozen members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, Attorney General Michelle Henry said. Ayala-Velasquez will serve 14 to 46 years in prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to five felony counts, including rape of an unconscious person, Henry said. He was sentenced Wednesday…
Police & Fire
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says
A special education teacher in Monmouth County was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 43, of Jackson Township, was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced her arrest in a news release on Saturday, June 29. Prosecutors said Havemann-Niedrach is a teacher at Freehold Intermediate School and according to her LinkedIn profile, she teaches special education in the borough's district. He…
News
HS Band Director Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Student: Pennsylvania AG
A former school employee in Wilkes Barre was convicted of groping a student on Friday, June 28, said the state Attorney General's Office in a release. Theron Roberts, the 41-year-old ex-band director at Crestwood High School in Mountain Top, was found guilty of felony institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors, prosecutors said. According to authorities, Roberts groped a tenth-grade student after pulling them into a "secluded alcove" and threatened her not to report the incident. The AG's Office said he met the victim three years earlier when they were in …
News
Lititz Sex Offender Called 'Dad' By 7-Year-Old Victim, DA Says
A 29-year-old registered sex offender has been sentenced yet again for sexual contact with a minor but this time the young victim was calling him "dad" at the trial, according to a release by the Lancaster District Attorney's office on Wednesday, June 27. Derek Alan Manz, who recently had a Manheim address according to the Pennsylvania State Police Sex Offender Megan's Law registry, previously lived in the 400 block of West Marion Street, according to the DA's release. The Lititz address is where he was when he touched the "private parts" of a 7-year-old girl between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. …
News
PA Man Kidnapped Four 'Females,' Held Them In Shipping Container: State Police
Four women were abducted, threatened with weapons, and sexually assaulted in a shipping container in the Poconos this week, according to state troopers. Police said they received a phone call about a possible kidnapping involving a Ford SUV around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday. They tracked the vehicle down at the Mount Pocono Walmart and found one victim with suspect Isaiah Rogers-Keeney, troopers said. Another victim was spotted leaving the store with a second suspect, Davaun Carlon Jackson, according to authorities. Investigators believe Jackson and Rogers-Keeney…
News
Nudes Sent To Children 'Almost Every Night' For 3 Years: Manheim Twp. PD
A 23-year-old man has been texting nude photos and videos of himself to children for the past three years, Manheim Township Police announced on Monday, June 24. Raul Ramos Jr. of the 100 block of Jennings Drive in Lancaster City, began sending the images when he was 20 years old and the victims were 13 and 12 years old, according to the police release. After a parent reported the images found on the children's phones, the police searched the phones and confirmed the images and video were sent by Ramos, the police explained. In an interview with the police on the children …
News
NJ Restaurant Owner Preyed On Job Applicant, Sexually Assaulted Others, Authorities Say
The owner of three restaurants in Trenton has been arrested for multiple sexual assaults including a job applicant, authorities said. Gerald Araya, 44, of Ewing, was arrested in Trenton on Wednesday, June 19, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri, Lawrence Township Police Chief Christopher Longo and Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson. He is charged with five counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of first-degree kidnapping, two counts o…
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