An 80-year-old man is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in two Pennsylvania counties and providing her with marijuana.
Dennis Kochenash, 80, formerly of Whitehall and now living in Wyalusing, Bradford County, faces a dozen charges in the case. He is charged with felony statutory sexual assault; felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; felony corruption of minors; and related offenses.
Kochenash was taken into custody Wednesday morning in Bradford County and is awaiting extradition to Lehigh County to be arraigned on the charges.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Pennsylvania State Police Troop M. Capt. Seth J. Kelly announced the charges against Kochenash on Wednesday morning. Court records did not immediately list any attorney information for Kochenash.
On Oct. 27, 2025, state police in Fogelsville received a ChildLine report regarding a victim who was age 14 at the time of the alleged offenses, which authorities said began in 2024.
Investigators determined Kochenash and the victim began communicating with each other through text messages and on Snapchat, authorities said.
The contact continued for several months; including online communication, in-person meetings and eventually through sexual assaults, authorities said.
Kochenash is accused of sexually assaulting the victim on several occasions in December 2024 and providing the child with marijuana. The assaults took place in both Bradford County and in Lehigh County at the victim’s home, the DA’s Office said.
As per an agreement with the Bradford County District Attorney’s Office, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office plans to investigate and prosecute the alleged crimes that happened in both counties.
Authorities believe there may be more victims. Those with information are asked to call Pennsylvania State Police at 610-395-1438.
The case is being investigated by Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Seth A. Heffner and will be prosecuted by Lehigh County Senior Deputy District Attorney Sarah K. Heimbach.