BROCKWAY, Pa. (EYT) – A Jefferson County man who allegedly molested a young girl waived his preliminary hearing this week.
According to court documents, the following charges against 47-year-old Thomas Alfred Alwine Jr. of Brockway, were waived for court on Tuesday, September 11:
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse W/Child, Felony 1
- Aggravated Indecent Assault Without Consent, Felony 2
- Aggravated Indecent Assault – Complainant Less Than 13 Years Old, Felony 2
- Aggravated Indecent Assault of Child, Felony 1
- Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
- Sexual Assault, Felony 2
- Indecent Assault-Without Consent Of Other, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
- Indecent Assault Person Less than 13 Years of Age, Misdemeanor 1 (two counts)
- Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3 (two counts)
Charges have been transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.
Alwine was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail on $75,000.00 monetary bail.
His bail was changed and he was released on $250,000.00 unsecured bail following a bail hearing requested by his defense attorney on Tuesday, September 11.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, around 8:14 p.m. on Sunday, August 19, a known woman arrived at the Brockway Police Department with a nine-year-old juvenile to report a sexual assault.
Interview With Victim
The complaint states that the juvenile victim told Officer Prosper, of the Brockway Police Department, that she was in a bedroom with her friend, her friend’s sibling, and Thomas Alwine. She said that she was under the covers because she was cold when Alwine put his arm under the blanket and touched her “private area” on top of and under her clothing. The victim pointed out her private area and stated that she learned about where her private areas and “no touch” areas were from school.
According to the complaint, the victim’s mother stated they were at Alwine’s residence, and when she went back to the bedroom to check on the victim before she went to pick up pizza, she witnessed the victim under the covers while Alwine had his hand under the covers.
She said she asked the victim what was wrong, and the victim said she was cold. The mother then asked the victim to come outside with her. She told police that once they were outside, she asked the victim if Alwine had touched her in any way, and the victim said no. She also explained that during her conversation with the victim, she noticed Alwine coming in and out of the residence, attempting to listen to their conversation.
The victim’s mother then told the victim to go back into the residence while she went for the pizza. She told police she was gone for about five minutes.
According to the complaint, the victim’s mother said about a half hour to forty-five minutes after returning with the pizza, the victim asked her if they could leave and said she did not feel well. The victim’s mother also reported that Alwine was walking in and out of the residence again while they were getting in their vehicle to leave, and she felt he was trying to listen to their conversation again.
The victim’s mother said after they got home, the victim went to a private bedroom, and when she checked on the victim and asked what was going on, the victim stated that Alwine had touched her “private area,” but she had been afraid to say anything because she thought she would get in trouble, the complaint states.
Officer Prosper then requested the assistance of Children and Youth Services (CYS).
A CYS worker arrived at the station to speak with the victim, and her family, and to check on Alwine’s children.
The complaint states that in a later Child Advocacy Center forensic interview, the victim repeated that Alwine had touched her “private area” and shared additional details.
Interview with Alwine and family
Officer Prosper then made contact with Alwine at his residence and advised him of an allegation against him.
According to the complaint, Alwine denied having done anything wrong but did not ask what he had actually been accused of. Alwine became increasingly nervous, and he began noticeably shaking.
On Monday, August 20, Alwine went to the Brockway Police Station for an interview.
When Alwine was walking into the station, he immediately said, “I didn’t do it, I never touched her,” the complaint states.
According to the complaint, after Chief Terry Young explained to Alwine that he was not under arrest and was free to leave at any time, Alwine stated that he “did not do anything to her, I never touched her.”
Chief Young then pointed out that he had not asked anything and asked what Alwine meant by touching her.
According to the complaint, Alwine again stated that he “would never touch her.” Chief Young then asked him who “she” is, and Alwine gave the victim’s name.
The complaint notes that when Chief Young asked Alwine if he knew why he was there, Alwine replied that he did and said it was because he was “being accused of touching (the victim)” and again stated that he did not touch her.
During the interview, Chief Young asked Alwine to explain what happened in the bedroom and specifically asked if Alwine was on the bed while the kids were in the room. Alwine said he was never on the bed, according to the complaint.
Alwine also stated that while he was in the bedroom, his wife kept walking by, “so there was no chance” of him doing anything.
According to the complaint, throughout the interview, Alwine continued to assert that he had not touched the victim.
The complaint also notes that Alwine began visibly shaking during the interview.
Chief Young then interviewed Alwine’s wife. She stated that she “cannot see” Alwine “doing anything to” the victim. When Chief Young asked her if she had seen Alwine in the bedroom with the children, she said she had, and when she was asked if Alwine was on the bed with the children, she stated that he was.
Chief Young also interviewed Alwine’s juvenile child.
The child also said that Alwine was on the bed and under the covers in the bedroom during the time in question, according to the complaint.
Based on the investigation, Alwine was arraigned at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22, in Magisterial District Judge David B. Inzana’s office.
EDITOR’S NOTE 1: Extreme graphic details were not included due to the sexual nature of the alleged crimes.
EDITOR’S NOTE 2: Several details were removed from this article to help protect the identity of the victim.
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
