Area Man Accused of Sexually Harassing Woman at Punxsy Business

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) — An area  man was charged for allegedly harassing a woman in Punxsutawney with repeated sexual advances.

Court records show the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 34-year-old Darryl Laroy Vining, of Arnold, in District Judge Jacqueline Mizerock’s office on April 15.

According to a criminal complaint, Punxsutawney Borough Police received information by text that a black male was loitering and causing a disturbance at a business on N. Findley Street, in Punxsutawney Borough, Jefferson County, around 1:20 a.m. on April 6.

The information received was from the business owner, who reported he was on his way to throw the male out of the club, the complaint states.

Once police arrived on the scene, the owner ordered the black male, who was identified as Darryl Vining, to leave the establishment. A second male ended up in a verbal argument as well. He informed police he was asked to come to the business by request of a known female victim because she felt uncomfortable by Vining, the complaint indicates.

The victim told police that when she entered the business, Vining was inside the skill games area, standing in the corner by the window with his hands down his pants. She said she just walked by and did not engage with him. However, while playing the skills games, Vining approached her, “mumbling about sex acts,” and asked her for a blowjob, the complaint notes.

When the victim declined, Vining asked if he could get naked and sit with her. She said she was so uncomfortable with Vining’s presence that she actually left the establishment and contacted the known male. She told me that she believed Vining was on some sort of drug and believed he was going to harm her or others, according to the complaint.

Once police returned outside, Vining was taken into custody for a warrant out of Westmoreland County. He was searched incident to arrest, revealing two syringes that were found in his left front pocket along with a pack of cigarettes. Inside the pack was a zip-lock baggie containing what appeared to be crystal meth, the complaint says.

Vining told police he was high on meth and he smoked three hours before the incident. He was asked to be seen by Jefferson County EMS, but he declined treatment, the complaint states.

Vining could not be housed until he was cleared due to an injury to his hand that he sustained before the incident. He was then transported to the Brookville Hospital. While at the hospital, Vining had made advances towards two police officers and stated that he was “horny,” and that he is “always horny when he is on drugs,” according to the complaint.

The victim provided a written statement, in which she wrote Vining asked her if she would like to give him a “blowjob.” She said “No,” and he came back with “You’re not the person I was supposed to meet here, are you?” She again said no before asking if she would mind if he got naked and sat next to me. Once again, the victim said, “No, I am not interested, and I was married.” He then walked out of the game room as the victim cashed out of the machine. She then went over to the redemption machine to cash her ticket and heard a yell and banging on the door. She then heard Vining say he came back because he thought she was being raped. The victim replied that she was fine and walked out of the building, the complaint indicates.

Vining was charged with the following:

– Int Poss Contr Subst By Per Not Reg, Misdemeanor
– Use/Poss Of Drug Paraph, Misdemeanor (four counts)
– Harassment – Comm. Lewd, Threatening, Etc. Language, Misdemeanor 3
– Harassment – Course of Conduct W/No Legitimate Purpose, Summary
– Harassment – Follow In Public Place, Summary
– Public Drunkenness And Similar Misconduct, Summary
– Disorderly Conduct Obscene Lang/Gest, Summary

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 2, at 9:45 a.m. with Judge Mizerock presiding.