Pa. man found innocent of child-rape charges

LINESVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A 27-year-old man accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl he impregnated was acquitted on child-rape charges.

Steven J. Gleason, 27, was found guilty of four lesser charges of statutory sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault.

In less than two hours of deliberation Tuesday, a jury acquitted him of 26 charges, including the more serious allegations of rape of a child and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.

Gleason was sentenced in January to 18 to 40 years in prison for a separate crime. At that time, he pleaded guilty to raping a 12-year-old girl.

In the most recent case, Gleason admitted to twice having sex with the teenager, who is now 18, five years ago. He faces up to 24 years in prison.