Sexual assault charges filed against New Castle officer

The officer has been placed on leave.

STAFF REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The New Castle Police Department says one of its officers, Patrolman Richard Corbin, has had criminal charges filed against him.

Pennsylvania State Police have charged Corbin, 35, Moore Avenue, Union Township, in connection with sex with underage girls after giving them alcohol.

Corbin is charged with statutory sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault, both second-degree felonies; corruption of minors, a first-degree misdemeanor; indecent assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, and selling or furnishing liquor to minors, a third-degree misdemeanor.

The girls were 13 and 15 years old when the crimes occurred in mid-January, says an affidavit of probable cause on file with District Justice Jennifer Nicholson’s office.

Police Chief Thomas Sansone was not making himself available for comment beyond what the press release already indicated, said a department employee.

The release said Corbin has been placed on leave pending further investigation. It does not indicate whether the leave is paid or unpaid.

According to the affidavit, state police began their investigation Tuesday, separately interviewing the two girls. The girls told police Corbin had offered them a ride while they were walking to a place called Club Unity. When they got in his car, they discovered a bottle of liquor in the back seat, the affidavit says. They asked him if they could have some, and he agreed, suggesting they go back to his house, the affidavit says.

The assaults happened there, the girls told police. He is accused of allowing the girls to drink and then having intercourse with both of them.

Corbin was arraigned Tuesday evening before District Justice Jerry Cartwright.

He was released on a nonmonetary bond, state police said. His preliminary hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Lawrence County Central Court.

Corbin could not be reached to comment. His number is unlisted. No one answered the door at his home Wednesday.