CLEARFIELD – During Centralized Court on Monday, the preliminary hearing was continued until Jan. 15 for a man accused of furnishing alcohol to a group of boys and engaging in sexual activity with one boy.
John Joel Ralston, 51, of Clearfield has been charged with statutory sexual assault, 10 counts; involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, 10 counts; corruption of minors, 10 counts; indecent assault, 10 counts; and selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors, 11 counts. His bail has been set at $100,000 monetary.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the state police at Clearfield initiated the investigation into Ralston after getting information from another alleged sexual assault victim. It was reported to state police that Ralston had been furnishing alcohol to boys. State police contacted the alleged victims and interviewed them for the case.
From summer of 2010 until this summer, Ralston would allegedly pick up several boys in Huntingdon and bring them to his camp in Decatur Township and his residence in Lawrence Township. The boys, the affidavit states, would spend weekends at Ralston’s camp and residence. While there, Ralston would allegedly furnish them with alcohol and engage in sexual activity with one of the boys.
On Nov. 26, state police interviewed the victim about the alleged sexual abuse. He started going to Ralston’s camp in 2010 and continued through 2012. While at the camp, he related Ralston provided beer, wine coolers, liquor and marijuana to him and his friends. The victim also related Ralston engaged in sexual activity with him on several occasions during these visits.
The victim was also to get a lot of money willed to him from Ralston. Ralston, the victim related, offered the boys $20 to see who would be the first to chug a beer. Other victims also related to state police that Ralston provided them with beer, wine, wine coolers and liquor.
On Dec. 18, state police interviewed Ralston, who admitted to furnishing the boys with alcoholic beverages. He also admitted to engaging in sexual activity with one boy.