The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

October 6, 2012

Sexually assaulted 2 females, man says

By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer

HERMITAGE — A Hermitage man pleaded guilty Tuesday to two felony sex charges for having sex with two females over multiple-year periods in the Shenango Valley.

Albert L. Francis, 45, of 885 Patricia Drive, faces sentences on each count of 5 to 10 years in prison.

Prosecutors withdrew charges including rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.

Police began their investigation May 31, when a 24-year-old woman reported that she was sexually assaulted by Francis when she was between the ages of 9 and 18 in Ohio and the Shenango Valley. He was specifically charged with assaults that took place between 2003 and 2005 in Hermitage and Sharon, police said.

Another victim, now 23, told police she was assaulted in 2009 through April in Hermitage and Sharon, police said.

Francis admitted having sexual relationships with the girls, but claimed the contact was consensual and he painted his alleged victims as the pursuers, police said.

Francis also admitted another improper relationship with a 15-year-old girl in Ohio, which is not the subject of the Hermitage charges, police said. Hermitage police said they have provided information to police in Warren and Niles, Ohio, for possible investigation into the alleged Ohio crimes.

Francis is in Mercer County Jail.

Text Only
Local News
  • Prosecutor doesn’t want kids to testify in person

    A man accused of raping three young children while he babysat them was “ready to go forward” with his preliminary hearing Thursday but the prosecution put the brakes on, arguing that the children shouldn’t have to testify in the man’s presence.

    May 24, 2013

  • Hearing in fatal shooting case delayed

    More than 20 family and friends gathered Thursday outside the Farrell district court of Judge Ronald Antos to support the man accused of shooting Andrew T. Walko to death on May 13.

    May 24, 2013

  • Ex-PTO officers in court on embezzlement charges

    Two women accused of stealing more than $35,000 from the Hermitage Parent-Teacher Organization turned themselves in at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Hermitage police station.

    May 24, 2013

  • Urban decay creates hazard for schoolkids

    Sharon schools Superintendent John Sarandrea shook his head Thursday afternoon as he surveyed a partially collapsed building across the street from Musser Elementary School.

    May 24, 2013

  • Voters choose 4 newcomers, unseating 2 board members

    Sharon residents likely will be seeing four new faces at school board meetings starting in December.

    May 23, 2013

  • Plan for Speedway station gets nod from commissioners

    Alan Baldarelli asked whether he could appeal Hermitage commissioners’ decision to approve a land-development plan for a Speedway gas station and convenience store, but did not say whether he planned to appeal.

    May 23, 2013

  • PTO officers charged with theft

    Hermitage police on Wednesday charged two officials of the Hermitage Parent-Teacher Organization with stealing more than $35,000 from the organization between May 2012 and March.

    May 23, 2013

  • Memorial Day events

    Area communities announced their Memorial Day commemorations for 2013.

    May 23, 2013

  • Was land feud motive?

    Ralph L. Young wanted to build some kind of ministry on the family property where he grew up in Franklin.

    May 23, 2013

  • Harry will face Dunder in fall

    Hermitage Treasurer and Tax Collector Bernie Telega Harry easily outdistanced a challenger for the Democratic nomination Tuesday and now can set her sights on a Republican hopeful.

    May 22, 2013