Police: Greensburg sex offender kissed girl, 5, on forehead

A Megan’s Law sex offender is being held in the Westmoreland County Prison without bail after Greensburg police said he kissed a 5-year-old girl on the forehead.

Phillip Maxwell Griffin, 39, allegedly was living at an address that had not been verified by state police as required under Megan’s Law, according to court papers.

He is charged with failure to verify and indecent assault.

Greensburg police were called to an Eastmont Drive apartment Tuesday after a woman reported Griffin picked up her daughter, sat the child on his hip and refused to put her down, according to court papers. He allegedly kissed the girl on the forehead and the mother punched him in the face to get him away from the child, police said.

Officers accuse Griffin of living with a female companion at an apartment there for the past month. The address listed on his Megan’s Law registration is on Highland Avenue in Greensburg.

When questioned by police, Griffin allegedly admitted to kissing the girl and living with the companion who he said needed help after a leg injury. Police said in court papers the female companion’s legs did not appear to be injured.

Griffin did not have an attorney listed in online court papers. An Aug. 15 preliminary hearing is set.

He is required to register as a sex offender for life on a 2001 aggravated indecent assault conviction, according to the Megan’s Law website.