Feb 22, 2018 2 min read

A Washington man accused of raping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old over a 12-month period that ended earlier this month was arrested Wednesday by state police.

Stephen Vaughn Wasler, 43, of 945 Idaho St., was arraigned before District Judge Robert Redlinger on charges of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, sexual abuse of children, criminal use of a communications facility and indecent exposure.

Wasler was placed in Washington County jail earlier this month on a charge of aggravated assault after he allegedly assaulted a 43-year-old woman at a home in Washington.

Police obtained a sealed search warrant from Judge Valarie Costanzo to search the contents of Wasler’s cellphone.

Police said while searching the images, Trooper Joseph Ross observed a series of photographs of a young girl. Ross showed the photographs to a woman who was able to identify the girl, as well as the location where some of the photographs had been taken, police said.

Ross talked with the girl about the photographs of her on Wasler’s cellphone, and the girl allegedly told Ross she sent Wasler photographs, and there also were photographs on a cellphone he had given her.

Police said the girl, who is now 13, also told Ross Wasler solicited sex from her on the cellphones he gave her. She no longer has those cellphones. Police said the girl also gave Ross details of Wasler’s alleged inappropriate contact with her. Assaults allegedly occurred at two homes in the city.

Wasler was placed in Washington County jail on $250,000 bond. He is scheduled for a March 7 preliminary hearing before Redlinger.