CLEARFIELD – Over 2,700 various counts of sexual abuse including rape have been filed against a Curwensville man.
Steve Daniel Kephart, 33, 205 Filbert St., Curwensville, was charged Friday by Curwensville Borough police with 308 counts each of rape forcible compulsion and rape threat of forcible compulsion; 284 counts each of indecent assault person less than 16 years of age, aggravated indecent assault without consent, aggravated indecent assault-person less than 16 years of age, sexual assault, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, and indecent assault person less than 16 years of age; three counts each of photograph/film/depict on computer sex act- child, sexual abuse of children, and possession child pornography; one count of indecent exposure; 52 counts of rape of child; and 25 counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse forcible compulsion and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse threat forcible compulsion. He is in the Clearfield County jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the investigation began after the victim’s boyfriend told her mother that the victim had confided in him that she was having a sexual relationship with Kephart. The victim’s mother contacted police.
When she was interviewed, the victim told police that the assaults allegedly began when she was 12 years old. She said she was talking with him about an older boy that liked her, and he allegedly stated, “You know what older guys want” and started touching her chest. He stopped when she asked him to stop.
Later he said, “You’re getting to that age where you’re going to want to see what it looks like.” He allegedly pulled down his pants, exposing himself.
Over the years, she told police, he had sex with her at various locations including camp sites, in vehicles and in his garage. The assaults allegedly happened more frequently after she turned 13 years old when it happened one or two times a week. Later when she was involved more in school functions, it would only happen once or twice a month, she said. The most recent assault was in January in her car.
The victim said many of the acts occurred in a garage, where he would use a bungee type strap to secure the door to prevent anyone from entering and interrupting them. Afterwards he would wipe himself on a sweatshirt or blue towel, she said.
Kephart also allegedly took naked photos of the girl or had her take naked photos of herself with his phone.
The victim was able to describe Kephart’s privates in detail that included specific identifying marks, the complaint states.
When Kephart was questioned, according to the affidavit, he admitted to having sexual relations with the victim and to having naked photos of her on his cell phone. He said they had sex five or six times, but the actual number could be higher because he couldn’t remember. He admitted it happened mostly in the garage.
Police searched the garage where they found a blue towel, sweatshirts and additional clothing on the floor. They also searched the victim’s vehicle.
In another interview with police, Kephart began crying. He said he didn’t know how this had started. At first he didn’t agree that the assaults began when she was only 12 year old. But he did remember showing her his privates and talking about what boys wanted from girls. He thought he was doing “something right,” in educating the victim and that is when it all started.
Kephart revealed details, which confirmed the girl’s story that they had sex in the garage after he secured the door. He also admitted to having sex while camping, in the victim’s car, and in his vehicle.
He agreed he was in his late 20’s when the relationship started and the victim was 12 years old. He stated “I’m stupid. I’m wrong. I’m dumb,” and “I wish I could rewind time.”
He told police he didn’t want to go to prison but realized that was where he was going. He also stated that he will die in prison for what he did, according to the affidavit.