Lamar Township man faces trial in multiple sexual assaults on minors charges

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Emanuel J. King, 25, of 151 Smith Lane, Lamar Township has been bound over to Clinton County Court for trial on 25 counts of alleged sex crimes committed against minor females under the ages of 13.

King was originally charged with 16 felony counts of alleged sexual offenses, including four counts each of aggravated indecent Assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor. At the commencement of the preliminary hearing on Monday afternoon, District Attorney Dave Strouse added nine additional counts including three counts each of indecent assault; corruption of minors; and unlawful contact with a minor.

DA Strouse initially attempted to avoid the testimony of the female victims by introducing video-recorded statements made to a forensic interviewer, but defense counsel Don Martino objected to the video evidence, insisting that the victims must testify in person. District Judge Frank Mills sustained the defense counsel’s objection, resulting in approximately two hours of testimony from three of King’s alleged victims, who testified concerning seven separate incidents where King allegedly sexually abused the young girls when they were between the ages of 3 to 9 years old.

Following the testimony of the victims, arresting officer Brian Burger of the Mill Hall Borough Police Department took the stand and testified that the defendant had confessed to at least four of the sexual assaults during a June interview that was audio and video recorded.

When DA Strouse rested the prosecution’s case, District Judge Mills took only a few seconds before ruling that the Commonwealth had met its burden in proving the case and bound all 25 counts over for trial. Following the hearing, Strouse asked the Court to modify bail in the matter, arguing that the current $45,000 monetary bail was a slap in the face to the victims. Strouse argued “If it were not for the fact that the defendant is a member of the Amish community, bail would be at least a half-million dollars for crimes as egregious and serious as these.” District Judge Mills ruled that bail would remain as previously set, primarily due to the fact that King had appeared at all scheduled court proceedings.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://clinton.crimewatchpa.com/da/133000/post/lamar-township-man-faces-trial-series-sexual-assaults-minors