North Huntingdon woman accused of obstruction in case against husband

A North Huntingdon woman is accused by Westmoreland County detectives of obstructing the prosecution of child rape allegations against her husband, according to court papers.

Kelley Jo Wilbanks, 40, was charged Friday with hindering prosecution, child endangerment and obstructing law enforcement.

John M. Wilbanks, 38, was arrested Oct. 29 by township police on charges of rape, statutory sexual assault and related offenses. A girl reported to investigators that the rapes began about 2013 and involved him often taking inappropriate photographs of her, according to court papers.

He has been held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $150,000 bail since his arrest. He is not permitted to have contact with his accuser.

In the following weeks, Kelley Wilbanks knew John Wilbanks had contact with the girl through letters and recorded phone calls from from the jail, according to court papers.

Police said the husband and wife discussed on Nov. 4 obstructing the accuser’s testimony against him and that of a second girl who may also have been involved in the allegations. No additional charges have been filed against John Wilbanks.

Investigators on Nov. 20 found a letter dated Nov. 8 written by John Wilbanks in the backpack of his accuser, according to court papers. Police said Kelley Wilbanks knew about the rape allegations involving her husband for years but never reported them.

She was arrested Friday and posted $75,000 bail. She could not be reached Monday. An attorney was not listed in online court records. A preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday.

John Wilbanks is set for formal arraignment next month.