About Joe Napsha

Joe Napsha 724-836-5252
Staff Reporter
Tribune-Review

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More sexual assault charges were filed on Monday against a 23-year-old Latrobe man who is accused of assaulting two young girls in his residence in Latrobe, as well as in Southwest Greensburg and Derry.

Latrobe police allege that Frank R. Baker III of Washington Street assaulted the 6- and 3-year-old girls multiple times between April 2011 and January 2013, according to the criminal complaint filed before Unity District Judge Michael Mahady.

Baker's alleged confession in the Westmoreland County jail on Feb. 14 led to the charges, Latrobe police Officer Michelle Preston said.

Preston charged Baker with three counts of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault, indecent exposure and endangering the welfare of children, and six counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Baker initially was charged on Feb. 4 with sexually assaulting one girl. Police began the investigation last month after the child's mother was told of the alleged assault, according to court records.

Baker, who was arraigned before Mahady on the new charges, waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He was returned to county jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Although some of the assaults allegedly occurred in a residence in Southwest Greensburg, Preston said, borough police decided to have one police department file the new charges. Other assaults allegedly occurred in an East Second Street residence in Derry, police said.

If convicted, Baker could face a lengthy prison sentence. During the arraignment, Mahady said each count of rape of a child carries a possible 20-year prison sentence.

Assistant District Attorney Judy Petrush said there is not a tentative plea bargain in the case.

Joe Napsha is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-836-5252 or jnapsha@tribweb.com.

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