CLEARFIELD – A Frenchville man accused of raping a girl then fleeing the state waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Sherman Graham is charged with three counts of rape of a child; two counts of aggravated indecent assault; two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; three counts of statutory sexual assault; indecent assault; three counts of criminal attempt to commit rape; four counts of theft by unlawful taking; receiving stolen property; three counts of flight to avoid apprehension; burglary and two counts of criminal mischief.
According to court records on July 28, 2008 a 4-year-old girl told her mother how Graham had penetrated her. She later told police that Graham had vaginally and anally penetrated her. She also reported that Graham told her not to tell anyone or he would hurt her.
The woman confronted Graham who initially denied the claim. Reportedly he later admitted to her that he did what the girl claimed.
The girl’s mother then left and called the police. While she was calling the police Graham reportedly arrived and said, “You don’t want to do this. This is how people’s lives are ruined.”
Graham was told to leave and reportedly fled to the nearby woods, where police say he waited while they were searching for him.
On July 29 around midnight Graham allegedly entered a camp along Germania Road and drank a few beers and stole two flashlights and binoculars.
Later that day he allegedly broke into another camp, along McCool Road/Germania Road and drank coffee and ate a can of baked beans before sleeping on the couch.
On July 30 around 2 a.m. he reportedly fled to a nearby garage and stole a truck.
On July 30 around 2:30 a.m. Graham allegedly entered LC Jordan’s Deli and Mini Mart and stole candy, a lighter, hamburger rolls, charcoal fluid, bug repellent, deodorant, toothpaste and other items before fleeing.
According to court records Graham then fled to Buffalo, NY before fleeing to Ohio. There he allegedly rammed a toll gate on the Ohio Turnpike near Maumee, OH, about 50 miles west of the Pennsylvania border.
Graham was later apprehended by Kansas State Police after he was pulled over for a traffic violation.
Graham remains in Clearfield County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
