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Braddock man pleads to contact with teens
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By Brigid Beatty
Published: Monday, December 10, 2012, 12:26 a.m.
Updated: Monday, December 10, 2012
KITTANNING – A 35-year-old Braddock man who was arrested in May for arranging online to meet with two 14-year-old girls in Boggs pleaded guilty on Friday to a felony charge stemming from that case.
Joshua B. Patterson pleaded guilty before Judge James Panchik to a charge of corruption of minors.
He also is facing charges from that incident of statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor (sexual offenses) and criminal use of a communication facility – all felonies.
According to a police report, Patterson first made contact with the girls in March on the social networking site myYearbook.com, posing as a 19-year-old and going by the name Joshua Phillips. The Leader Times does not reveal the names of minors who are the victims of a crime.
Patterson chatted with his victims on Skype, before making plans to meet them at a location along Ridge Road on May 4.
The girls got nervous when they realized Patterson appeared much older than 19. He reportedly put his arms around one of the girls, rubbing his chin on her neck. When she tried to break free, he continued to hold her until the other girl managed to pull her away. As the girls walked away from Patterson, he grabbed one by her hoodie and pulled her to him. The girls became combative and Patterson got back in his car and drove away.
During an interview with state police on May 7, Patterson confessed to the incident.
Police served a search warrant and seized Patterson's cellphone and computer. He was placed in the Armstrong County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond. According to jail records, he was released on May 15 on his own recognizance.
He is awaiting sentencing.
Brigid Beatty is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
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