CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of having sexual relations with a young girl waived his right to a preliminary hearing during Centralized Court on Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
Joseph Gabriel Morrison, 19, of Clearfield has been charged with indecent assault of person less than 16 years of age. The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred the night of March 11-12 at the Clearfield fire station.
Upon investigation police found that Morrison and the alleged victim were at the fire station alone on the night in question. At approximately 2 a.m., they were on the couch being intimate with each other when Morrison allegedly touched her private area.
Morrison took the alleged victim home at approximately 3 a.m. The alleged victim, police said, is 14 years old.
Morrison’s bail is currently set at $25,000 unsecured.
In another sexual assault case, Ronnie C. Bass, 21, of Clearfield had his preliminary hearing continued until 9:45 a.m. Aug. 27 at the CCJ. He’s been charged with rape of child; indecent assault of person less than 13 years of age; corruption of minors; statutory sexual assault; sexual assault; aggravated indecent assault; and disorderly conduct.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, at 12:46 a.m. Aug. 14, 2013, police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in progress. Upon arrival to the scene, police heard several people yelling from inside the residence, and they were separated.
Police were advised that when witnesses returned to the residence, the alleged victim had been observed with her pants around her ankles and sitting on Bass on the couch. Bass then put the alleged victim on the floor, covered his private area and became very defensive, causing an argument to break out inside the residence.
The alleged victim’s parents were directed to take her to the hospital for a physical evaluation. Bass was taken into custody at 1:36 a.m. and transported to the police station to be interviewed about the alleged incident.
During an interview with police, Bass admitted to picking up the alleged victim and putting her on the couch with him after individuals had left the residence. He also admitted to pulling down the alleged victim’s pants and sexually assaulting her. He told police that he didn’t penetrate the alleged victim.
Bass is incarcerated in lieu of $250,000 bail.
