Connellsville man charged with rape of young girl
A 35-year-old Connellsville man was arrested Thursday afternoon on allegations that he raped a girl over the course of six years beginning when she was 8 years old.
Shawn Allen Lesko is behind bars in the Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $150,000 bond.
The Herald-Standard does not identify those who allege they are victims of rape.
State police said the most recent crimes occurred this year in Perry Township. Lesko also allegedly assaulted the girl in Belle Vernon in Fayette County and Forward Township and Glassport in Allegheny County beginning in 2011, according to court documents.
Lesko allegedly sexually assaulted her on “numerous occasions” and the acts “progressively escalated,” according to paperwork filed in the case.
He allegedly told her not to tell anyone or she would get in trouble, court documents indicate.
Lesko denied all the allegations, state police said.
He is charged with rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16 and two counts of corruption of minors.
Lesko was arraigned Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Richard Kasunic II.
Lesko faces a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr.