Connellsville man charged with sexual assault
A Connellsville man is behind bars after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in Connellsville last week. Connellsville police said Kevin Ray Tate, 34, was charged before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr. with sexual assault, two counts of indecent assault, simple assault and harassment following the incident May 13.
According to police, Tate and the woman were involved in a scuffle at a residence in Connellsville, during which Tate physically and sexually assaulted the woman.
Police said that at some point following the altercation, Tate fell asleep and the woman was able to escape the residence.
Police said the woman suffered visible injuries in the incident.
The Herald-Standard does not identify the victims of alleged sexual assault.
Tate told investigators during questioning that he had sexually assaulted the woman, police said.
Tate was placed in the Fayette County Prison on $10,000 straight-cash bond following his arraignment.
A preliminary hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday before Haggerty.
This is not Tate’s first brush with the law.
In 2008, state police charged Tate with indecent assault and burglary following an incident in North Union Township, according to Fayette County Court records. The charges were later dismissed.
In 2002, Tate was sentenced to three months to 23 months for theft.
Prior to the theft conviction in 2002, Tate had been arrested on multiple counts of theft from separate incidents dating back to 1996 and had served several years on probation as a result.