Man waives hearing in statutory sexual assault

A Palmerton man charged with statutory sexual assault for having a sexual relationship with a minor more than 10 years ago waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon at District Judge William Kissner’s office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by state trooper Nicolas De La Iglesia, Charles Kistler, 40, engaged in a sexual relationship with the then 15-year-old minor starting in October 2004.

Kistler and the victim had sex multiple times in various locations in Palmerton from that point until after the victim’s 16th birthday on March 5, 2005.

Kistler was 25 years old at the time.

The incident was initially reported to PSP Lehighton in March 2005 when the victim admitted to being involved in a sexual relationship with Kistler.

The victim said that the first time they had sex was in Kistler’s vehicle along Fireline Road. The victim didn’t want to bring charges against Kistler because the two were still dating.

In April, the victim contacted police and said that as an adult she realized it was wrong for Kistler to have had a sexual relationship with her as a minor, and she wanted to pursue criminal charges against him.

In an interview with police on April 26, Kistler admitted to having a sexual relationship with the victim which began when she was 15 and he was 25.

Kistler said the first time they had sex was in his vehicle in the Palmerton area, and that they had sex five to 10 times before the victim turned 16.

He is currently free in lieu of $5,000 unsecured bail.

Formal arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 10 in Carbon County Court.