Charges were held over for court Thursday against a 49-year-old Pottsville man accused of sexually assaulting a young boy over a six-year period.
On July 25, Pottsville police arrested Kevin Jones, then residing at 504 Mahantongo St., and Detective Steven Guers charged him with two felony counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, one felony count each of indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors, one misdemeanor count of indecent assault, and two other felony sexual offences involving children.
The incidents came to light when the child, who is now 17, told counselors at a Mercer County facility that provides comprehensive treatment programs for troubled boys, that between the age of 11 and 18 he was sexually assaulted by Jones.
During 25 minutes of testimony Thursday, the boy, trying to hold back tears, told the court how Jones sexually abused him during visits he had to the man's Pottsville apartment. He said the assaults began when he was 10 or 11 years old and ended last year when he turned 16. After many of the assaults, the boy said, Jones apologized for what he had done and told him that what happens in the apartment stays in the apartment.
The teen said he was sexually assaulted by Jones about once or twice a year during the times the visits occurred. He also said he never told his mother or any other relative or teacher about the assaults and only opened up to the counselor.
The child said the incidents occurred in Jones' bedroom after the man had drunk alcohol, Guers said.
Guers told the court that when Jones was interviewed July 25, he admitted the allegations were true.
Chief assistant public defender Andrea Thompson asked Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley to reduce her client's bail and said he now has a place to live and can provide a valid address. However, Jones is unemployed and Reiley denied any reduction, referring the matter to Schuylkill County Court.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Lehman is prosecuting the case.
Reiley ruled that the Commonwealth proved a prima facie case and ordered all offenses against Jones held for Schuylkill County Court.
Following the hearing, Jones was returned to Schuylkill County Prison, where he is being held on $100,000 straight cash bail set at time of his arrest in July.