CLEARFIELD – A Houtzdale man charged with sexual assault in two, separate cases was scheduled for court Wednesday.
Herman Tom Custred, 60, is charged by Clearfield Regional police with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, IDSI-forcible compulsion, IDSI-threat forcible compulsion, IDSI-person less than 16 years, unlawful contact with a minor-sexual offenses, sexual assault and corruption of minors, all felonies, as well as misdemeanor indecent assault.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Custred was under investigation by Clearfield state police, and on Feb. 4, regional police were referred an incident that had occurred in 2018 at a Clearfield residence.
The victim told authorities how Custred invited her to come watch movies with him when she was around 12 years of age.
She said after she refused to sleep in his bed, he started to rub her shoulder, back and leg. She reportedly told him no repeatedly.
Custred then allegedly used a hairbrush to sexually assault her. She tried to make the assault stop but said the more she “struggled,” the more aggressive it made Custred.
The victim said when he finally did stop and left the room, she ran out of his apartment and had no further contact with him.
The affidavit notes Custred had past sexual assault and harassment allegations including in January 2018 for reportedly making inappropriate comments towards the victim, which made her mother “worried” about Custred.
In a second case, Custred is charged by Clearfield state police with felony aggravated indecent assault of a child, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors as well as misdemeanor indecent assault.
This victim told state police that Custred inappropriately touched her inside a camper located at a reclaimed strip-mining area in Guelich Township in 2017 when she was 7- or 8-years-old.
In March Custred was questioned by state and regional police, and denied the allegations in both cases. He claimed the victims were lying and attempting to “ruin his life.”
He could provide no reason for why the victims—who do not know each other—would lie and file separate police reports but said he would just have to “fight it in court.”
He was also requested to submit to a polygraph test but declined, saying: “it wouldn’t be in his best interest,” and he wouldn’t do so without first speaking with an attorney.
Custred waived his right to a preliminary hearing in both cases Wednesday, sending them to county court for further disposition. Bail remains set at $150,000, monetary in each case.
