Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Girl Over 6 Year Period Going To Trial
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A man facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl over a six year period was in court Wednesday afternoon for a preliminary hearing.
Police say 35-year-old Richard Meglaye is accused of molesting the girl beginning when she was 11-years-old.
Meglaye, of Belle Vernon, hid his face from our cameras Wednesday as he was escorted from his preliminary hearing.
He is facing a long list of charges including corruption of minors, indecent assault, aggravated assault, intimidation and statutory sexual assault.
It began when the then-11-year-old girl was allegedly kissed and fondled at a public park; and according to the criminal complaint, it escalated from there.
Meglaye had a personal and business relationship with the girl's parents, giving him unsupervised contact, which included sleep-overs.
North Strabane Township Police first learned of the accusations in late July. The victim is now 17.
"The victim is doing good. She came up for the hearing and was present. We were ready to proceed with the case. At this time the waiver worked in favor of the case," said Det. John Wybranowski, of the North Strabane Police Department.
Over six years, the alleged encounters occurred in North Strabane Township, Hempfield Township, Cranberry Township and Youngwood.
Investigators say Meglaye also gave the girl alcohol and illegal drugs.
At the preliminary hearing, Meglaye's case was waived for trial and his bond was reduced from $100,000 to $25,000. He can also have no contact with children or minors.
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