Nov 16, 2018 1 min read

Charges have been filed against a Monessen man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy.

Michael R. Christofel, 38, was charged by Monessen police with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and three counts of indecent assault of a person younger than 13.

Police said a relative of the boy approached them and told them there was video of the alleged assault. When police talked to the boy, he reportedly told them Christofel inappropriately touched him Nov. 14.

When confronted by the boy’s relative, Christofel allegedly admitted he touched the boy, but said he wanted to experiment and he was not a child molester, according to court paperwork.

Police said they viewed another surveillance video of a similar incident involving Christofel and the boy from late October. Authorities said the boy also told them of another instance of alleged inappropriate contact that occurred earlier this month.

Christofel was taken into custody and placed in Westmoreland County Prison on $100,000 bond. He faces a Nov. 30 preliminary hearing.