Pa. man charged with rape waives hearing

June 25, 2008|By DON AINES

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A Harrisburg, Pa., man on Tuesday waived his preliminary hearing in Franklin County Central Court on charges that he sexually assaulted a girl repeatedly over a period of about a year.

Alexis Ocasio Rivera, 36, is charged with several felony counts of rape of a child, as well as statutory sexual assault and indecent assault. Magisterial District Judge Gary Carter said Rivera is in Franklin County Jail on $125,000 bond and his mandatory arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 6.

The girl, now 14, was interviewed in April and told Chambersburg police that Rivera first assaulted her in 2006 at her home, according to the affidavit of probable cause. At the time Rivera was living with the girl's family, police said.

The sexual contact continued for about a year, police said. The girl, who was 12 when the first incident happened, told police she was too afraid to tell anyone, according to the affidavit.

Rivera moved out after about a year, but police said there were two other incidents involving the girl, one at a park in Chambersburg and another at the home of one of the victim's friends.

When interviewed by police, Rivera said the girl initiated the sexual relationship and that it was consensual.

Rivera also waived arraignment on charges that he beat a girlfriend on Feb. 29. He is charged with simple assault, terroristic threats and false imprisonment in that incident, police said.

The woman told police she came home to find Rivera waiting for her and that, once a baby-sitter had left, he kicked the woman in the stomach, punched her, dragged her upstairs by her hair, choked her and threatened to kill her.

Rivera then held the woman in her home against her will until the following afternoon, police said.

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