Authorities withdrew charges against an Oklahoma Borough man accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled man because the suspect died two days after being arraigned, court records show.
Brian K. Ferguson, 52, was charged Jan. 16 with indecent assault of a person with a mental disability and unlawful restraint in connection with an incident that police said happened a day earlier.
State police Trooper Jacob Feryus said Ferguson’s death Saturday does not appear to be suspicious. He would not provide further information.
Kiski Township police said they responded early Wednesday evening to a reported sexual assault at a residence where the victim ran into a bathroom, locked the door and called 911.
The victim, 20, told police he met Ferguson through a dating app, according to a criminal complaint.
The complaint said the alleged victim’s mental disabilities “are very apparent,” but Ferguson denied noticing.
Ferguson told police he worked with people who have mental disabilities through the Export-based nonprofit accessAbilities Inc., which says on its website that it provides home and community services for adults with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities.
It did not return messages.
Ferguson was released on $7,500 bond after being arraigned Jan. 16.
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office said a ruling on the cause and manner of death is pending. That could take two to eight weeks to complete, an office staffer said.
Members of Ferguson’s family could not be reached through the funeral home handling his services, Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home and Crematory in Kiski Township.
