Clarksville man faces more charges
A Clarksville man, already charged with simple assault and intimidation of witnesses, faces more charges after he allegedly had inappropriate contact with two young girls at his home.
James Andrew Burnsworth, 39, of 34 Taylor Ave., was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka on charges of indecent assault, simple assault and harassment before the start of his scheduled hearing in Central Court on the other charges.
East Bethlehem police Chief Mark Pompe said the incidents reportedly happened between January and Burnsworth’s initial arrest March 8 on charges of simple assault and harassment. The two girls reportedly told their sister about what he allegedly did and she contacted Washington County Children and Youth Services.
Both girls had forensic interviews at Child Advocacy Center in Washington. The younger girl told police Burnsworth forced her to touch him inappropriately and also slapped her on the cheek while they were playing a slapping game. The older girl told investigators Burnsworth touched her inappropriately.
Burnsworth was first arrested for allegedly assaulting Samantha Howes, who was his girlfriend at the time, and her 15-year-old daughter. He is accused of grabbing both Howes and the girl by the neck and throwing them to the floor. Neither appeared for a March 21 hearing on the charges. The hearing was continued, but attempts to serve them with subpoenas to appear for the rescheduled hearing were not successful.
Burnsworth and Howes were then charged with intimidation. Recordings were made of conversations when Burnsworth called Howes’ cellphone from the jail.
They were also charged with retaliation or obstruction in child abuse cases, intimidating a witness to withhold information, intimidation of a witness by failing to testify and intimidating a witness into failing to appear for her alleged role in her daughter not testifying.
Howes testified Monday that Burnsworth told her he would get a home equity loan to put the house in her name and buy vehicles for her and her daughter.
Burnsworth, who is in jail on $52,500 bond, faces a May 2 preliminary hearing before District Judge Joshua Kanalis. Both he and Howes, who is free on $25,000 unsecured bond, will be formally arraigned on the intimidation charges June 28.