Man charged with indecent assault of minor

A Saylorsburg man has been charged with the indecent assault of a minor.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by trooper Leo Petrucci of the Pennsylvania State Police, Lehighton barracks:

On Aug. 28, Petrucci received an allegation of suspected child abuse from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and PA Childline.

The report identified the victim as a 7-year-old girl, with the suspect being Matthew Pandorf, 29, a relative of the victim.

The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at Pandorf’s residence along Kunkletown Road in Ross Township while the victim was visiting Pandorf and her grandparents.

Upon leaving the residence, the victim disclosed to her mother that Pandorf pulled her pants down and touched her.

On Sept. 4, the victim was interviewed at the Monroe County Children’s Advocacy Center, and said she was touched inappropriately by Pandorf while playing video games in Pandorf’s bedroom while the other adults were downstairs.

The victim’s 8-year-old brother was also in the room.

Pandorf told the victim to sit on his lap and reportedly told her he loved her and that she’ll be his princess.

The victim said that Pandorf then took her into another bedroom and closed and locked the door, adding that she regretted going with him.

Once inside the room, Pandorf assaulted her.

At 11:24 a.m. Sept. 9, Pandorf was interviewed at his residence and said that he last saw the victim when she was visiting.

Pandorf confirmed that he went to a different bedroom and that he was alone with her and that he accidentally pulled her pants down.

Petrucci asked Pandorf why he touched the victim, and Pandorf said that he did it by mistake.

Pandorf confirmed that he told the victim he was moving and that the victim was crying.

Pandorf faces charges of unlawful contact with minor; indecent assault; and corruption of minors.

He is currently free in lieu of $10,000 unsecured bail, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Oct. 4 before District Judge Colleen Mancuso of Brodheadsville.