Pennsylvania probation officer accused of sex crimes, fired

On behalf of The Benari Law Group posted in sex crimes on Thursday, July 7, 2016.
When a person alleges that he or she has been the victim of a crime in Pennsylvania, the claims deserve a proper investigation. However, any person can make accusations; if there is no evidence to support them, the accused can not be found guilty of criminal charges. Despite a lack of clarity regarding supporting evidence, a probation officer has been fired following accusations of sex crimes, among others, made by women he supervised.

The accusations involve a 35-year-old male probation officer. After several women made accusations against him, he has been fired and now faces criminal charges. The claims by the women include accusations of sexual coercion and requests for bribes.

One woman claims that she had a sexual relationship with the man because she was concerned the probation officer would retaliate if she did not. Another woman claims that she was asked to give $250, and the man would help her avoid a class for drunk drivers, while a second claims she was asked to send explicit photographs to avoid problems for driving without a license. The man now faces multiple charges, including bribery and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.

While all accusations should be investigated, Pennsylvania prosecutors must be able to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt in order to gain a conviction. The standard of proof is purposefully set high in order to prevent wrongful convictions. Many people facing accusations of sex crimes and other charges often seek the guidance of an attorney with experience with the criminal justice system to help them understand the charges against them as well as the supporting evidence.