Charges against Connellsville man held for court
CONNELLSVILLE — A Connellsville man will stand trial on charges that he groped a young boy while playing football at a high school stadium.
Anthony French, 45, of 216 W. Austin Ave., showed little reaction when the 12-year-old boy stood from the witness chair Thursday and pointed to him when asked by Connellsville police Patrolman Tom Patton if the man who assaulted him was in the courtroom.
“There,” said the boy, identifying French.
The preliminary hearing was held before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr.
Police said the incident took place about 11 p.m., following a Connellsville Area High School game at Falcon Stadium on Sept. 16.
According to the youngster’s testimony, French approached the group of boys playing football in an grassy area adjacent to the playing field and asked if he could join the game.
“He hit hard, so I went to put my shoes on,” testified the boy, adding that he did not know French.
The boy testified that French came toward him while he was putting on his shoes.
“He did it kind of sneaky,” said the boy. “He was running, stopped and groped me, then ran again.”
Under cross-examination by public defender Thomas Shaffer, the boy said that he hit French after he was assaulted and then went to tell his family what had happened.
Shaffer asked if he also informed a nearby security guard of the alleged attack.
The boy acknowledged that there was a guard, but said he wanted to report the incident to his family.
French was convicted in 2004 of having unlawful contact with a child. He was sentenced to five years probation and required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law for 10 years.
Shaffer offered no testimony or closing statement.
Haggerty ruled that the three felony indecent assault charges, two felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor and two summary counts of harassment be held for court.
Following the hearing, Shaffer said that he plans to request a mental health evaluation be conducted for his client.
In a related matter, Haggerty said that French has pled not guilty to 39 summary counts of cruelty to animals filed by police.
According to court documents, when officers went to French’s home to execute the arrest warrant for the indecent assault charges they allegedly found a variety of animals living in inadequate conditions.
A hearing date has not been scheduled.
French remains jailed on $10,000 straight cash bond.