Police beat Dec. 10
EAST BETHLEHEM
Contact with minor: James Russell Kline, 35, of Millsboro, was charged by state police Monday with unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility. According to the criminal complaint, police began investigating Kline in July for exchanging sexual messages with a juvenile female. Charging documents state that they exchanged more than 3,700 text messages. Kline is accused of sending pictures to the juvenile and asking her to do the same. Court records do not state the age of the alleged victim. District Judge Joshua Kanalis sent Kline to the Washington County jail on $50,000 bond.
SOUTH STRABANE
Assault alleged: Joshua King, 29, of Washington, was charged Monday by South Strabane police with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. According to the criminal complaint, at about 8 p.m. Monday police were called to the Waffle House at 255 Murtland Ave. King is accused of pointing a firearm through the front windows of the business, then going inside and threatening the employees. District Judge Joshua Kanalis sent King to the Washington County jail without bond.
WASHINGTON
Assault alleged: Phillip Thaxton, 46, was charged Tuesday by Washington police with aggravated assault and simple assault. Court records describe Thaxton as homeless. According to the criminal complaint, shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday police were called to the wooded area behind the Get-Go on East Wylie Avenue. Thaxton is accused of assaulting Amanda Gibson and causing significant injuries to her face. She was transported to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. Thaxton claimed he was sleeping inside a tent and that Gibson set it on fire. District Judge Joshua Kanalis sent Thaxton to the Washington County jail without bond.