North Franklin man accused of sexually assaulting teen
A 19-year-old North Franklin Township man is headed to trial on charges he had a sexual relationship with a girl five years younger over a four-month period.
Joshua W. Anthony of 160 Iola Ave. was held for court on charges of statutory sex assault, involuntary deviate sexual assault, corruption of minors, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault during his Wednesday morning preliminary hearing in Central Court before District Judge Mark Wilson.
South Strabane Township police said Anthony was involved in a sexual relationship with the 14-year-old girl on more than a dozen occasions at her home and in a Canonsburg area motel. Police said the girl’s parents found Anthony hiding in the bathroom next to their daughter’s bedroom on June 12, before he ran from their South Strabane home and into nearby woods.
He is being held in the Washington County jail on $50,000 cash bond while he awaits his trial on the charges.