Imprisoned man accused of abusing young girls
A man imprisoned in Mercer County on a child pornography conviction is now facing charges accusing him of sexually abusing two young girls in Butler County.
State police filed charges Thursday against Joshua M. Pethtel, 36, including two felony counts of indecent assault and two felony counts of corrupting minors.
According to the affidavit, police began investigating after receiving multiple Childline reports in June, then talked with the two girls within a week of the reports.
“(The girls) disclosed information of sexual abuse by Joshua Pethtel at the time of the forensic interview,” police said.
Police interviewed Pethtel on Aug. 29 at the state correctional institution in Findley Township, Mercer County, where he is serving a 1 to 3 year sentence.
On Sept. 23, Pethtel pleaded guilty to one felony count of child pornography, a third-degree felony, and he was sentenced. Upon his release, he would have served three years on probation.
Police said during the interview, Pethtel admitted to inappropriately touching both girls, who were 10 and 12 at the times of their abuse.
“The sexual abuse relating to (the then 10-year-old girl) was not an isolated incident, as Pethtel admits that ‘it progressed pretty quickly,’” police said.
According to police, the acts against the 10-year-old girl included photographing the child; however, charges have not been filed related to child pornography in this case.
Police said Pethtel also admitted to inappropriately touching the then-12-year-old girl.
Pethtel has yet to be arraigned on the local charges. Following arraignment, he will be issued a bond and scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Sue Haggerty.
