Sewickley Twp. Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Mentally Disabled Woman
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SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A man has been charged with sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman at his home in Westmoreland County.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident took place at a home in the 100 block of High Street in Herminie, Sewickley Township.
The victim moved into 74-year-old Wayne Smith's home on Aug. 31 after he offered her a place to stay.
On Sept. 8, the woman told police that Smith had sexually assaulted her multiple times.
"Unfortunately, that 24-year-old female had a mental handicap that placed her probably in like the early teen stages when it came to her mental capacity," said Tpr. Stephen Limani, of Pennsylvania State Police.
On each occasion, Smith allegedly convinced the victim to drink a glass of wine. Then, he allegedly pressured the 24-year-old victim into engaging in sexual activity. On each occasion, she initially refused, but Smith continued to pressure her.
"When he had offered her to stay there, this was the path that they were headed down where he was going to try and see if he can manipulate her, and get her to participate in sexual activity," Tpr. Limani said.
Afterward, Smith told her, "Whatever happens in this house, stays in this house."
Police interviewed Smith on Sept. 9. He said a friend brought the victim to his house and he allowed her to stay because she was homeless.
He went on to admit to taking advantage of the victim by forcing her to engage in sexual activities on multiple occasions.
Smith was arraigned in Greensburg on Friday and is being held on $200,000 bond in the Westmoreland County Jail. He had little to say while walking into the courtroom.
He is being charged with rape, aggravated indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.
His criminal history dates back to 1966.
KDKA has also learned that Smith will soon be facing additional charges for allegedly raping a 22-year-old woman in his trailer.
