HOUTZDALE – Over 3,500 felony charges were filed last week at District Judge James Glass’s office against a Houtzdale man who is accused of molesting two young girls.
Police say Randy Lee Pinto, 35, sexually assaulted the girls at a residence in Olanta and another in Houtzdale beginning in May 2013.
A few days later, his wife, Katie Ann Pinto, was charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of children because she allegedly was aware of the abuse.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the girls reported that they were being assaulted beginning at the age of five.
During their interview at Clearfield County’s Child Advocacy Center, both girls gave independent detailed accounts of being raped and other sexual abuse by Pinto.
A male juvenile who was a witness was also questioned and confirmed their story that Pinto was molesting the girls. He reported that he was also assaulted after Pinto pushed the boy down and tried to choke him.
The girls said Pinto would give them money or toys and told them not to tell what had happened.
In her affidavit, it says Katie knew of her husband’s actions with the girls for years but never reported it to authorities. She told officials she was “very afraid of Randy” which is why she never told anyone about the abuse, according to Randy Pinto’s criminal complaint.
Randy Pinto is charged with 500 counts each of rape of child, sexual assault, and aggravated indecent assault-person less than 13-years-old, 510 counts each of endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor, as well as 10 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with child, and other related offenses.
Pinto’s preliminary hearing is May 14. He is being held without an option of bail in the county jail.
Katie Pinto is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 4 during centralized court.
