Connellsville man charged with raping child
A Connellsville man faces nearly 40 felony counts after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl on several occasions.
Joshua Melke, 31, was reported by the girl’s mother after she came home to find Melke lying on top of her child, the complaint said.
Police said Melke admitted to assaulting the girl four or five times.
He also threatened to beat the girl if she told anyone what he had done, the complaint said.
Melke is charged with rape of a child, forcible compulsion, statutory sexual assault by an adult at least 11 years older, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault of a person under 13 and corruption of minors.
District Judge Richard Kasunic denied Melke’s bail due to the potential for flight risk or harm to the victim.
Melke’s preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 5 before District Judge Ronald Haggerty.