ELK COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — An Allegheny County man is accused of touching a teen inappropriately after taking her to try to see elk.
Dennis Wagner, 62, of Natrona Heights, is facing multiple charges after a Safe to Say report was made, according to a criminal complaint. On Sept. 13, Pennsylvania State Police out of Kittanning received a report that a 15-year-old girl had allegedly been sexually assaulted by Wagner inside a vehicle and they were currently traveling down State Route 28 and 66.
Police noted that the vehicle was described as a black Chrysler van and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Police noted Wagner was driving and a 15-year-old was in the passenger seat.
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According to the affidavit, in an interview with an officer, the teen told them that Wagner had picked her up to take her to Benezette. They had stopped at a Sheetz on the way and purchased an alcoholic beverage for him. She added that they were driving around looking for elk when Wagner pulled over and parked near a gated road.
Wagner allegedly asked her what his “prize” was for picking her up and then touched her inappropriately. She also alleges that he threatened not to feed her if she made him stop and told police that the incident lasted 30 minutes. The victim told police that she had asked him to stop multiple times, but he did not.
The teen allegedly sent concerning messages to another minor about what had happened, and that juvenile filed a Safe to Say report, which caused police to pull over the vehicle.
Wagner was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. He is facing charges of corruption of minors, indecent assault without consent, indecent assault of a person less than 16, and furnishing liquor to a minor.
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A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2.
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