(Editor’s note: some details from this investigation are being withheld in order to protect the identity of the victim.)
A Red Hill man has pleaded guilty to felony sexual assault charges after he harbored and had sex with an underage local female that was reported missing in 2020.
Court records show that 22-year-old Justin O’Neill pleaded guilty last month to felony counts of statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors, as well as a misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old. His sentencing has been scheduled for June 6 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Bucks County Common Pleas Judge C. Theodore Fritsch Jr.
O’Neill faces up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 fine on the statutory sexual assault charge, according to sentencing guidelines.
The family of the victim — along with the victim herself — contacted police in late 2020 to report something that had happened while the victim was away from home. The victim stated that she had been sleeping in the back of O’Neill’s vehicle for several days while she was reported missing, and during that time, he had tried to kiss her and touch her inappropriately, police said.
The victim also stated that she had left her laptop in O’Neill’s vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.
Police and the victim’s father made contact with O’Neill to retrieve the laptop and asked if O’Neill knew that the victim had run away from home. O’Neill reportedly confirmed that the victim had been sleeping in his vehicle for several days prior to her returning home, the complaint states.
Several days later, the mother of the victim again contacted police, stating that she had found messages that indicated something more had happened. At that time, the victim told police that she had sex with O’Neill during one of the evenings that she slept in his vehicle, police said.
The victim was then taken to a local hospital for a SANE exam, and she gave investigators the clothing that she was wearing on the night of the incident, the complaint states.
Several months later, O’Neill met with investigators and denied any contact had occurred, police said. O’Neill then provided a DNA swab for comparison, which was later found to match the DNA that was found on the inside of the victim’s clothing, according to the complaint.
Charges were filed against O’Neill on Aug. 5, 2021. He remains free on 10% of $50,000 cash bail.
See also:
Montco Man Sentenced on Possession of Child Pornography Charges
Woman Sentenced to Jail, Probation for Shooting Incident at Montgomery Township Park
Chalfont Woman Gets House Arrest, Probation for DUI Crash on Bethlehem Pike with Child in Vehicle
Bucks County Man Accused of Drive-By Shooting with BB Gun Sentenced to Jail
Lansdale Man Who Provided Wrong Address to Sex Offender Registry Sentenced to Prison
