Former Connellsville councilman charged with indecent assault of teen
A former Connellsville councilman and ex-legislative aide was charged Thursday afternoon for alleged sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl.
Brad W. Geyer, 36, of South Pittsburgh Street is charged with a felony count of criminal attempt to commit corruption of minors, 11 misdemeanor counts of indecent assault of a person less than 16 and one misdemeanor count of furnishing liquor to a minor.
鈥淭he alleged victim disclosed that Geyer had sexual contact with her on numerous occasions over a three-year period, beginning in May of 2015, with the last incident of sexual contact occurring in April of 2017,鈥� a statement from Fayette County District Attorney Rich Bower said in part. 鈥淭he alleged victim stated this occurred while she was between the ages of 14 and 16.鈥�
State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, employed Geyer as a legislative aide in his Connellsville office, but said in a statement released Thursday afternoon Geyer was terminated effective immediately.
鈥淚 first learned of these charges a few hours ago,鈥� the statement said in part. 鈥淢y staff and I had no knowledge of any inappropriate actions by this employee until today. I am shocked and appalled by the allegations. My office and I will fully support the investigation going forward.鈥�
The teen, who is now 17, told her therapist last month Geyer had inappropriate contact with her and allowed her to drink wine at his house. She reported the contact happened multiple times, saying he laid in bed with her and touched her under clothing, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in the case.
Connellsville Police Department received a ChildLine report from Fayette County Children & Youth Services March 27, launching the investigation. ChildLine is a mandatory reporting line for child abuse. Police and a caseworker met with the alleged victim for a forensic interview earlier this week. She reported she met Geyer through their work at Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale about 10 years ago. Geyer is president of the Westmoreland County theater蘑菇视频 board.
In May 2015, when she was 14, she said she spent the night at Geyer蘑菇视频 home seven times. She reported he touched her under her shirt on many of those nights. He offered her wine when she stayed, according to court paperwork.
In June of that year, he allegedly touched her inappropriately on a trip to New York City to see a Broadway play.
She reported she stayed the night at his home in March 2016, when she was 15, three times, 鈥渁nd the touching began to move to lower parts of her body,鈥� the affidavit said. She reported the inappropriate contact continued in April of that year, saying he asked her to sit on his lap and touched her, and again in October 2016.
In March or April, she reported she stayed at his house and woke up to find he placed her hand on his genitals over his underwear.
鈥淭he next morning the victim said that Geyer told her about a dream he had where the victim was alone with him in his room wearing nothing but a towel,鈥� the affidavit said. 鈥淭he victim stated she was 鈥榝reaked out鈥� at this point and it was the last time she stayed over at Geyer蘑菇视频 residence.鈥�
Geyer served three terms as a councilman in Connellsville until he lost a bid for re-election in 2015. He successfully ran for the seat in 2003, then a college student studying political science.
He was arraigned at 3 p.m. Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr. and released on a $10,000 unsecured bond. Court documents indicate he posted a bond signature in the case.
His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for 1 p.m. April 19 before Haggerty.
Geyer was charged on his birthday, according to court documents.