Man charged for the 2008 rape of girl

An Aliquippa man was charged March 22 with the 2008 rape of a then 7-year-old Lansford girl.

According an affidavit of probable cause filed by Lansford police, David Jones, 44, had been charged in 2008 with the rape of two girls, 11 and 7 years old, but during the court proceedings, the 7-year-old was deemed not competent due to her age.

The victim was interviewed again in 2018.

“The interview was consistent with her 2008 interview,” police said.

Both victims were examined in 2008 by a St. Luke’s physician and it was determined the sexual assault had been occurring for about two years.

Police said Jones threatened the girls that he would harm them and their mother if they got pregnant or told anyone about the incidents.

“The second victim, now 17 years old, feels she is in fact fully competent,” police added.

In the case of the 11-year-old in 2008, Jones pleaded guilty to aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old and was sentenced in 2010 to 29 months to 10 years in prison.

With the current case, Jones is charged with rape of a child, rape by forcible compulsion, aggravated indecent assault of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault without consent.

Lansford police picked up Jones in Pittsburgh on Thursday. State police in Pittsburgh apprehended Jones on Lansford’s felony warrant when he showed up to be fingerprinted as part of his Megan’s Law registration requirements. Jones had been in state prison on the prior rape conviction. The new charges were filed just as Jones was released.

He was arraigned Friday in front Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek. Jones is in Carbon County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 10 at 2:15 p.m.