North Huntingdon man accused of rape being held in county jail on $150K bail

North Huntingdon police on Tuesday arrested a 38-year-old township man on multiple charges of raping and sexually abusing a girl.

In addition to rape, John M. Wilbanks was arraigned before District Judge Wayne Gongaware on charges including rape, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children.

Officer Thomas Harris stated in court documents that Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau contacted police on Oct. 18 to report that a girl made a complaint through the state child abuse hotline, ChildLine. She reported to investigators that the sexual assaults began about 2013.

In addition to the assaults, the girl told police that Wilbanks often took inappropriate photographs of her using his cell phone.

The girl said Wilbanks often told her “not to tell anyone because I could get into trouble,” Harris reported.

According to court documents, investigators obtained text messages between Wilbanks and the girl. After learning she had been interviewed by police, Wilbanks texted her a message stating: “I’m sorry,” Harris reported.

Wilbanks is being held in the county jail on $150,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Nov. 13.