SUMMERVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – New details have emerged in a case involving a Summerville man accused of sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Punxsutawney-based State Police Tpr. Weaver, allegations against David Paul Pierce, 33, stem from one or more incidents that occurred in Summerville sometime between January 1, 2017, and June 20, 2017, when Pierce allegedly subjected the victim to unwanted physical contact.
The criminal complaint indicates that the investigation was initiated on June 22, 2017, when the victim’s mother contacted police and reported that her 4-year-old daughter had allegedly been sexually assaulted by Pierce.
She became aware of the alleged sexual contact after the victim told her that David Pierce touched her genitals.
During a June 23, 2017, interview at Western PA Cares for Kids in Broovkille, the victim told a forensic interviewer “(the defendant) beats my ass.”
She also told the interviewer that the defendant inappropriately touched her, according to the criminal complaint.
On June 27, 2017, Pierce was interviewed by Tpr. Weaver at the State Police barracks in Punxsutawney.
“The interview took place in the presence of his mother due to his unwillingness to speak without her,” said Tpr. Weaver in the criminal complaint.
During the interview, Pierce denied touching the victim inappropriately.
On July 3, 2017, the defendant failed a polygraph test administered by Punxsutawney-based State Police Corporal Higgins.
Further investigation was conducted resulting in the following charges being filed against Pierce on January 16, 2018:
- Aggravated Indecent Assault Without Consent, Felony 2
- Aggravated Indecent Assault – Complainant Less Than 13 Years Old, Felony 2
- Aggravated Indecent Assault – Complainant Less Than 16, Felony 2
- Unlawful Contact With Minor – Sexual Offenses, Felony 2
- Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
- Indecent Assault Person Less than 13 Years of Age, Misdemeanor 1
- Indecent Assault Without Consent Of Other, Misdemeanor 2
- Indecent Assault Person Less 16 Yrs Age, Misdemeanor 2
- Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
Pierce was taken into custody on January 18 in St. Marys by PSP Ridgway troopers. He was transported back to Jefferson County where he was arraigned before District Judge Gregory Bazylak.
He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on $60,000.00 cash bail.
A preliminary hearing is slated for February 2 at 1:30 p.m. with Judge Bazylak presiding.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Extreme graphic details were not included due to the sexual nature of the alleged crime. Additional details were omitted to help protect the identity of the victim.
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