Greene County man held for court on rape charges
CARMICHAELS — A Greene County man accused of sexually assaulting a boy over a four-year period will face trial following a preliminary hearing in the case.
The alleged victim, now 13, testified that John Lohr, 56, of Cumberland Township gave him energy drinks to keep him awake during the assaults, which typically occurred between midnight and 3 a.m. at various places in Carmichaels and West Virginia.
The teen testified he always “told (Lohr) no,” and on many occasions tried to physically fight off Lohr, but he was afraid of being killed or that another family member would be killed by Lohr. The alleged victim told Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson that Lohr routinely threatened to kill him or his family members if he disclosed the assaults.
Watson held charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault for Common Pleas Court following the hearing. Lohr, a former member of the advisory board for Greene County Children and Youth Services, will face formal court arraignment later this year.
Under questioning by Assistant District Attorney Brianna Vanata, the alleged victim testified that Lohr showed him a kitchen knife, and told him he had a gun. The Herald-Standard does not identify people who allege they were victims in sexual assault cases.
The teen also testified that he was sexually assaulted hundreds of times between October 2009, and Aug. 14.
State police said the teen eventually disclosed the alleged assaults to Lohr’s wife, Debra. During his testimony, the teen told Watson that he did tell Debra Lohr, but asked her not to tell anyone because he was afraid for his life.
Debra Lohr reported the alleged assaults to police on Aug. 18. Trooper William Brown, who filed the charges against John Lohr, testified at the hearing that Lohr admitted to assaulting the teen, but denied threatening him.
Public Defender Harry Cancelmi, Jr., who represented Lohr, requested a reduction in the $750,000 bond set by Watson at Lohr’s arraignment hearing on Sept. 11. Watson denied the request and Lohr will remain in Greene County Prison in lieu of that bond amount.