Sexual assault hearing waived
MASONTOWN – Joseph Johnson Ruse, 40, of 170 Masontown Woodside Road, Masontown, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday into charges filed by state police alleging he raped and sexually assaulted three juvenile girls, including one for the last seven years. Ruse waived two counts of rape, statutory sexual assault, two counts of aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, three counts of indecent assault and two other charges. The case against him will be forwarded to county court where he will either accept a plea agreement or have a trial.
District Justice Brenda Cavalcante returned him to the county prison in lieu of $50,000 straight bond.
The investigation began after a confidential informant contacted the county Children and Youth Services on Aug. 3 and reported the abuse, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Sandra Soliday.
The oldest victim, a 16 year old, said Ruse had been sexually assaulting her since she was 9 years old while a 12 year old told investigators that Ruse had been sexually assaulting her since she was 7, according to the affidavit. A 9 year old said he sexually abused her over the summer.