East Bethlehem man faces statutory sex charge
An East Bethlehem Township man already facing charges including indecent assault, simple assault and intimidation of witnesses was charged Friday by township police with statutory sexual assault.
James Andrew Burnsworth, 39, of 34 Taylor Ave., Clarksville, is also charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 and furnishing alcohol to a minor.
East Bethlehem Police Chief Mark Pompe was at a preliminary hearing for Burnsworth on the intimidation of witnesses charge when the 15-year-old girl told him about her alleged sexual affair with the 39-year-old suspect. The girl told police she had sex with Burnsworth “a countless number of times.” She also told Pompe he would get her drunk.
Pompe charged Burnsworth earlier this month with indecent assault, simple assault and harassment after two other girls during a forensic interview at the Child Advocacy Center in Washington said Burnsworth had inappropriate contact with them. One of the girls said he slapped her on the cheek while they were playing a slapping game.
Burnsworth was initially charged with simple assault for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend, Samantha Howes, and her daughter after he allegedly grabbed them by the neck. Neither appeared for a March 21 hearing on those charges. The hearing was continued, but attempts to serve the two with subpoenas for the rescheduled hearing were not successful.
Burns and Howes were charged with intimidation of a witness and retaliation or obstruction in child abuse cases authorities reviewed recordings of conversations between the two after he was jailed on the simple assault charge. Howes testified earlier this month during his preliminary he promised to put his house in her name and buy vehicles for her and her daughter if they would not testify against him. He was held for court on the assault and intimidation charges while Howes waived her case.
Burnsworth remains in Washington County jail on $52,500 bond. He faces a preliminary hearing Monday before District Judge Joshua Kanalis in connection with the assault charges on all three girls.