South Connellsville man accused of repeatedly raping child
A South Connellsville man who was already headed to trial for attempted rape now faces a slew of charges after the alleged victim provided additional information to police.
James H. Gibson Jr., 59, was originally arrested in April by Connellsville police. A 12-year-old girl told police that Gibson had been inappropriate with her since she was 7, but would not go into further detail at the time.
Investigators interviewed the girl again last week and she described being regularly raped by Gibson since 2018 at a home on Cramer Street. According to the complaint, the girl claimed the assaults occurred as frequently as every other day.
Gibson is also accused of threatening the girl if she disclosed what was happening. The alleged threats occurred while the allegations against Gibson were being investigated, police said.
He faces 30 charges, all felonies, including five counts each of rape, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of minors.
Gibson was arraigned on the new charges Tuesday morning before District Judge Ronald Haggerty, who set bond at $40,000. Gibson was already incarcerated in the Fayette County jail on account of the previous case.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Nov. 30.