Hearing postponed in sexual assault case
A hearing in Central Court for a McDonald man accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl was continued Wednesday until next month.
Eric N. Openbrier, 20, of 411 W. Lincoln Ave., was arrested this month by state police on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault.
Police, in a criminal complaint filed at the office of District Judge Valarie Costanzo, indicated that Openbrier and the alleged victim knew each other. Openbrier reportedly contacted the girl via a message on Instagram last month and told her that he liked the photographs she was posting on the site.
According to police, Openbrier gave the girl a telephone number and asked her to call him. On Nov. 25, she sent him a text message, and the two then started a conversation. Police said Openbrier went to the girl’s house and picked up the 13-year-old and her friend. The three drove around for awhile before Openbrier allegedly kissed the 13-year-old in what was described to police as a romantic way. He then took the girls back to her home.
The two continued exchanging messages the following day. The girl reportedly snuck out of her grandparents’ house and again rode around with Openbrier. He dropped her off at home and then asked her to come back out to have sex with him, but she declined, police said.
According to court documents, the girl snuck out of the house again Nov. 27 and she and Openbrier went to Openbrier’s apartment, where they had sex. They again had sex the following day, police said.
The family learned about the relationship. Police were given photographs of the two as well as a cellphone with messages between Openbrier and the girl.
Openbrier remains free on $50,000 unsecured bond set by District Judge Jay Weller. His hearing has been rescheduled for Jan. 9.