Charges filed against 18-year-old James Fulton will now be bound over for further proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas.
Fulton is facing first-degree felony counts of criminal attempt – rape of a child and criminal attempt – involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age, in addition to a second-degree felony count of aggravated indecent assault – complainant less than 13 years old.
The charges were filed by Franklin state police trooper Paul Swatzler following an investigation into an incident in November.
A criminal complaint filed through district judge Andrew Fish’s office said the girl, who is less than 13 years old, was first interviewed by Swatzler on Nov. 9 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.
The girl was also questioned by a forensic interviewer on Nov. 21 at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, the complaint said.
The child said Fulton invited her and her brother to his house on Pine Valley Lane in Jackson Township on Nov. 9, and Fulton asked her to come to a bedroom to talk about her Christmas presents, the complaint said.
The girl’s brother remained in the living room playing video games, the complaint said.
Once in the bedroom with the child, Fulton shut the door and placed a television in front of the door, the complaint said.
Fulton then told the girl to sit on the bed and engaged in inappropriate physical contact with her, the complaint said.
The girl’s brother persistently tried to get in the bedroom, so Fulton came out and the girl ran from the residence, the complaint said.
The brother caught up to her and she explained what had happened with Fulton, the complaint said.
After hearing about the incident, the girl’s brother told their mother and the police were contacted, the complaint said.
Swatzler interviewed Fulton on Dec. 15 at the Franklin barracks and he made statements against his own interest, the complaint said.
Fulton remains in the Venango County jail with no bail.
Fish denied Fulton’s bail when he was first arraigned on the charges, citing the need to keep the girl safe and Fulton’s threat to society.
