Police charge McDonald man with sex assault
A McDonald man was taken into custody Thursday on a warrant obtained by Chartiers Township police charging him with sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a home in the township.
Zachary P. Jeffries, 25, of 104 Bowen Road, was picked up in Ellwood City by a state constable and returned to Washington County. He is charged with two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one count each of statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and unlawful communications with a minor.
Jeffries is accused of having inappropriate contact with the girl on numerous occasions. He also allegedly sent her numerous messages that were sexual in nature, including a photograph to her cellphone. The girl was 14 when the assaults allegedly started in November. The alleged relationship reportedly ended in March.
Sgt. Michael Filosi, who filed the charges against Jeffries, said a family member learned of the relationship the girl was having and confronted her.
Jeffries also was wanted on a bench warrant issued by Judge Gary Gilman in March 2016 after he failed to appear for a contempt hearing.
Jeffries was arraigned on the sexual assault charges before District Judge James Ellis and placed in Washington County jail on $100,000 bond. He is scheduled for a June 1 preliminary hearing before District Judge David Mark.