Man Arrested, Charged In Sexual Assault Of Teenager
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man wanted in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a teenager has been arrested.
According to the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, 59-year-old Val Byrd was taken into custody without incident Wednesday morning inside an apartment in Homewood.
Byrd was wanted in connection with the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in February. During the incident, Byrd allegedly used heroin and alcohol to "disorient the victim."
He is facing a list of charges including, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, corruption of minors and recklessly endangering another person.
Byrd has since been transported to the Allegheny County Jail.
In 1984, Byrd was accused of kidnapping and raping a minor in Philadelphia. It's not clear why, but those charges were withdrawn.
Also, in 1993, he pleaded guilty to stabbing someone to death. He served two to four years for voluntary manslaughter.
He's also faced charges of promoting prostitution and assault.
In 2006, then-Attorney General Tom Corbett charged Byrd with being the ringleader of a cocaine operation in McKeesport.
For this latest incident, he faces a preliminary hearing on April 17.
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