Sep 15, 2014 2 min read

A Belle Vernon man accused of sexually assaulting a girl over a six-year period was arrested Monday by North Strabane police.

Richard Michael Meglaye, 35, is accused in the incidents, which allegedly occurred at a home in the township and at locations in Allegheny, Butler and Westmoreland counties.

Detective John Wybranowski said the girl was about 11 when the alleged sexual assaults began in 2008. The assaults allegedly continued through this July, he said.

The girl’s mother came to the station in late July to report that her daughter, who no longer lives in the area, had been sexually assaulted. A forensic interview with the alleged victim was done last month at the Washington County Specialized Victim Investigation and Prosecution Unit.

The girl gave police and forensic investigators specific details about the alleged sexual acts and her contact with Meglaye. She said Meglaye knew her parents.

The alleged victim told investigators the inappropriate contact began when he took her to a secluded area in a public park and began kissing and fondling her. Meglaye allegedly began having sexual intercourse with the girl after she turned 13. Meglaye also allegedly supplied her with alcohol and marijuana prior to engaging in sexual activity.

The girl told police that Meglaye told her not to tell anyone what happened because he did not want to go to jail and lose his children.

Meglaye was arraigned before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault of a person younger than 13; aggravated indecent assault; indecent assault; involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person younger than 16; aggravated indecent assault; statutory sexual assault; intimidation of a witness; and two counts of corruption of minors. He was placed in Washington County Jail on $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 24 in Central Court.