Oct 12, 2016 2 min read

Smith Township police arrested a 21-year-old Burgettstown man on sexual assault charges, accusing him of having a sexual relationship with a girl for almost a year starting when she was 14.

Dylan James Prokop of 34 Colwell St. is charged with statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and indecent assault.

Police said the relationship between the two was discovered in early September. Officer Bruce Carlton was patrolling in the state gamelands when he noticed a car parked on the side of Log Cabin Road. At first, no one appeared to be in the vehicle. But when he activated the emergency and overhead lights on the cruiser, he said he saw a person sit up in the back of the car. He said he found Prokop and the girl, now 15, in the car covered with a blanket.

The officer told them to get dressed. Both denied they had been involved in any sexual activity. When Carlton asked the girl if she was being held against her will, she said she was not and had known Prokop since 2013. Prokop told police the girl wanted to get together with him. He also said he knew her for several years.

After talking a few days later with the girl’s mother, Carlton learned the girl allegedly had a sexual relationship with Prokop. Police obtained permission to search the girl’s cellphone and said they found sexually explicit messages between the two. Journal entries allegedly made by the girl also allegedly outlined their sexual relationship.

Police Chief Bernie Larue said there was no question Prokop knew the girl’s age. The chief said Prokop was not charged with rape because the sexual relationship was believed to be consensual. Police consulted with Assistant District Attorney Kristin Clingerman and Detective Beverly Ashton of Washington County’s sex crimes unit before filing the charges.

Prokop was arraigned before District Judge Gary Havelka and released on $25,000 unsecured bond. He is scheduled for a Nov. 3 preliminary hearing before Havelka.