Elizabeth Man Arrested, Charged In Alleged Rape Of Girl
ELIZABETH (KDKA) -- A man from Elizabeth is facing charges in the alleged repeated rape of a girl.
According to police, the alleged abuse started in March of 2009 when 46-year-old Ryan Brant was living with the 16-year-old girl at her Forward Township home.
State police say Brant used the sleeping pill, Ambien, to drug the teen.
Brant is also accused of forcing the girl to pose while he touched himself. The victim told police Brant would either crush the sleeping pill up and put it into a drink or he would force the girl to take the pill.
"It was multiple encounters that went on," said Trooper Matthew Gavrish, of Pennsylvania State Police. "Some, the severity was different each time of everything that happened."
The sexual abuse continued through September of 2010 at her home and other locations.
According to the criminal complaint, Brant would verbally threaten the teenager, saying that if she didn't make him happy and do what he wanted he would hurt the teen's boyfriend, her mother and even harm himself.
Brant also told the victim he had pictures of her in compromising situations and would ruin her reputation by showing them.
"I've spoken with the victim since an arrest has been made and I feel that she's relieved," said Trooper Gavrish.
Today at Brant's home in Elizabeth, his mother wasn't happy to see KDKA's cameras.
"I don't want nothing on the news," she said.
Brant faces several charges of rape, sexual assault, corruption of minors and aggravated indecent assault. He was arraigned Monday and is now being held in the Allegheny County Jail on $100,000 bond.
RELATED LINKS:
More Elizabeth News
More Local News
