Schuylkill man facing sexual assault charges
A Schuylkill County man is facing sexual assault charges following an incident that occurred at 6 a.m. Sunday.
State police at Frackville said the incident occurred at a residence along West Main Street in Girardville. Troopers said their investigation revealed that Mark Rhode, 46, of Girardville, was at a woman’s residence when he began making unwanted sexual advances towards her.
Police said he placed her in a chokehold and dragged her to a bedroom where a struggle ensued. Rhode then sexually assaulted the victim, who continued to resist, troopers said. Eventually the woman was able to kick Rhode off of her and he fled the residence.
Troopers said Rhode was taken into custody a short time later at his residence.
He has been charged with three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault and misdemeanor counts of indecent assault (two counts), simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.
He was arraigned before on-call District Judge James Ferrier, of Orwigsburg, and committed to the county prison in Pottsville after failing to post $50,000 straight cash bail. However, bail was posted on Monday and he was released from custody.
