Lancaster man charged with sexually abusing girl, appears in District Court | Local News

A district judge ruled Tuesday that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute a Lancaster man accused of sexually abusing a girl about 12 years ago.

Lancaster County Judge Adam Witkonis ordered Peter Ray Cabrera, 35, to be tried on charges of aggravated sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and three related counts following a preliminary hearing.

At a preliminary hearing, prosecutors must present sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed and the defendant is likely responsible for it, so the case should be tried in district court by a jury or judge.

The girl, now 17, said the attack occurred when her mother left her in Cabrera’s care at a park.

When the girl told Cabrera she had to use the bathroom, he took her to a secluded area of ​​the park. When she finished, he wouldn’t let her pull up her pants, she said, touched her inappropriately and threatened to kill her if she told anyone. He also covered her mouth, according to the indictment.

Although the girl said she told her mother, father and stepmother about the incident, they did not believe her, she said.

“I tried to tell my mother that he was not a good person, but she wouldn’t listen,” she said.

LNP | LancasterOnline does not publish the names of people who report sexual assault without their permission.

Lancaster City Police Detective Karson Arnold filed charges against Cabrera after investigating a report of alleged child abuse last July.

Arnold said the attack took place at a playground near Brandon Park in the southwest of the city.

While interviewing the girl last year, Arnold entered her mother’s address at the time of the assault into Google Maps and searched for nearby parks until he found a playground that matched her description.

Cabrera’s next court date is July 26. He is being held in the Lancaster County Jail because he cannot make the $300,000 bail.

The YWCA Lancaster operates a 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline at 717-392-7273. It connects callers to free, confidential counseling and therapy services for community members experiencing sexual abuse, harassment or assault.