YOUNG TOWNSHIP (YET) – Additional details have been released on the alleged rape and assault that occurred in Young Township over the weekend.
According to court documents, the Punxsutawney-based state police filed the following charges against 33-year-old Shawn Douglas Smith of Punxsutawney on Monday:
- Aggravated Assault, Felony 1 (two counts)
- Rape Forcible Compulsion, Felony 1
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse Forcible Compulsion, Felony 1 (two counts)
- Sexual Assault, Felony 2
- Strangulation – Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck, Felony 2 (two counts)
- Aggravated Indecent Assault Without Consent, Felony 2
- Aggravated Indecent Assault – Forcible Compulsion, Felony 2
- Possession Of Firearm Prohibited, Felony 2
- Terroristic Threats With Intent To Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
- Unlawful Restraint/Serious Bodily Injury, Misdemeanor 1
- Indecent Assault Forcible Compulsion, Misdemeanor 1
- Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (four counts)
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
- Indecent Assault-Without Consent Of Other, Misdemeanor 2
The charges stem from a report of an assault that happened on Friday, March 15, and into Saturday, March 16.
Smith was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail on multiple state parole warrants and is awaiting a preliminary hearing on this incident.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, around 7:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, PSP Punxsutawney were dispatched to a residence for a report of a sexual and physical assault.
The known female victim reported that around 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15, Smith came into her residence in Punxsutawney and requested that she leave with him.
She stated that after consistent attempts to get her to leave, she went with him to avoid an altercation in front of her children and her friend. She then entered her vehicle with Smith driving.
The victim reported that Smith drove recklessly into Indiana County to the Hemlock Lake area where he stripped down naked and jumped into the lake.
He then got back into the vehicle where he allegedly forced the victim to get undressed and then performed oral sex on her, according to the complaint.
The victim also reported that while Smith was driving, he made threats to her that they were “going to die tonight.” She stated that she made several attempts to exit the vehicle while it was in motion, but each time she attempted to get out, Smith would grab her and stop her.
She also reported that he indicated he was going to drive the vehicle off a cliff, and he continued to drive at high rates of speed, according to the complaint.
At one point, the victim said she did manage to escape the vehicle and ran toward a house on Timber Lane, in Young Township, Jefferson County, screaming for help, but Smith caught her, tackled her and then grabbed her by the neck and dragged her back to the vehicle.
She stated he was “trying to break her neck” and was strangling her to the point that she felt she was going to lose consciousness. She asked Smith to stop and let her go, but he denied her requests.
Smith then took her to his father’s residence on Timber Lane in Young Township. The victim witnessed Smith telling his father that “he might be going to jail tonight for the things that he is doing to her,” according to the complaint.
Smith then took her to the basement of the residence where he took possession of a shotgun and “racked” it. He then showed her shotgun bullets and explained to her what each bullet would do to her before pointing the gun at her and then at himself, the complaint indicates.
The victim reported that Smith then got on top of her and choked her with both hands, twisting her head in an attempt to break her neck.
She stated she felt he was going to kill her, but he wanted to have sex with her, so she did what he said to stay alive and engaged in sexual intercourse with him, against her will. The victim reported Smith also forced her to perform oral sex on him, according to the complaint.
The victim told police that Smith allowed her to leave after she agreed to return there by 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, and agreed not to contact law enforcement.
The victim then drove to her own residence in Punxsutawney and immediately contacted the Punxsutawney-based state police for help.
Around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, a trooper with the Punxsutawney-based state police, went to the Timber Lane residence with a search warrant. Smith fled from the rear of the residence and was apprehended.
The complaint also notes that the shotgun utilized during the incident was located next to Smith’s bed in the basement and was seized along with clothing and bedding associated with the sexual assaults.
Around 4:16 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, Smith was read his rights, and he agreed to an interview with the trooper.
According to the complaint, Smith confirmed going to the victim’s residence in Punxsutawney and leaving with her in her vehicle and also confirmed that he did “strip down” at Hemlock Lake and jumped into the lake.
Smith went on to state that the victim talked to him about killing herself, and he told her that he would do it, too. He indicated they had sex in the vehicle and at his father’s house in the basement on his bed.
Smith also confirmed that at one point, the victim exited the vehicle and was screaming, and he chased her down and got her back into the vehicle.
When asked why she ran from the vehicle, he could not provide a reason other than her being intoxicated. He also confirmed they were arguing throughout the night, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Smith acknowledged that he knew and understood that he is a person who is not permitted to possess a firearm, even though he had a firearm in his possession.
He also said that the sexual relations were consensual; however, he indicated after they had sex once, he inquired about having sex a second time and she said “no.”
He confirmed that he told his father that he might be going to jail “for the way she is acting.,” according to the complaint.
Read more: http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/.