Punxsy man charged with sexually abusing young girl

PERRY TWP., Pennsylvania (EYT) – A Punxsutawney man faces charges for sexually assaulting a young girl in Perry Township.

According to court documents, Punxsutawney State Police filed criminal charges against the 40-year-old Patrick Alan Hughesof Punxsutawney, in the office of District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock on Wednesday, June 5.

According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred sometime between March 22 and March 28, 2024, in Perry Township, Jefferson County.

PSP Punxsutawney Trooper Michael Malloy received a report on April 17 that Patrick Hughes indecently touched a known underage victim, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, the juvenile was interviewed forensically on April 22. She said she was sitting on a couch watching a movie when Hughes began touching her. She said he sat on the other end of the couch, slid over and put a blanket over her.

The victim stated that she kept trying to take the blanket away, but Hughes kept putting it back on. The victim said Hughes then began touching her shorts and her legs, and that she was scared and “didn’t know what to do,” the complaint states.

The victim told police that Hughes touched her under her clothing and sexually assaulted her. The victim then said she wanted to go to bed and Hughes stopped, the complaint states.

Hughes allegedly told the victim not to tell anyone. He later went upstairs and asked the victim to snuggle up. The victim said no, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Hughes was interviewed at PSP Punxsutawney on May 17 and allegedly admitted to touching the victim, but claimed it did not go as far as she reported. Hughes then said it was an accident.

Hughes was arraigned on Thursday, June 6, at 8:30 a.m. before District Judge David Inzana on the following charges:

• Severe sexual assault of a child, offense 1
• Unauthorized contact with minors – sexual offenses, crimes 1
• Serious indecent assault without consent, offence 2
• Serious indecent assault – Comp. under 13 years, Crime 2
• Aggravated indecent assault – Comp. Under 16, Felony 2
• Indecent assault on a person under 13 years of age, misdemeanor 1
• Bribery of minors, misdemeanor 1
• Indecent assault on a person under 16 years of age, offense 2
• Indecent bodily harm without the consent of another person, offense 2

Hughes is currently free on $100,000.00 bail.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26 at 9:00 a.m., presided over by Magistrate Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock.