A 14-year-old girl who made the acquaintance of a man on a dating app accused him of sexually assaulting her when they met in person.
28-year-old Michael Kaufman reportedly made an account on the Skout dating application, which advertises their worldwide service as an opportunity to connect with millions of other users.
Kaufman allegedly began interacting with a female who told him she was an adult, and they cultivated enough of a comfort level through their online communication to cause them to want to meet face-to-face.
They agreed on Kelly Park in Roxborough, Philadelphia, as their designated meeting spot, and the woman let Kaufman know that her 19-year-old cousin would be accompanying her.
On Monday, the agreed upon day for the encounter, the young woman and her cousin reportedly arrived at the park and met Kaufman as planned.
The trio allegedly decided to go back to Kaufman’s apartment together and hang out there instead. After a while, the cousin decided to leave, but the 14-year-old stayed at Kaufman’s residence with him.
When they were alone the teen reported that Kaufman proceeded to rape her, and then took her back to the park where they first met.
When Kaufman departed the alleged victim went to a home close to the park and called the authorities to report what happened to her.
The police arrived and had the girl show them where the alleged assault happened and she directed them to Kaufman’s residence.
Kaufman walked outside and the police took him into custody noting that he allegedly had a gun in a holster on him at the time. When they went inside of his home the police said they found evidence supporting the girl’s claims of sexual assault, and two inert hand grenades.
The suspect has been charged with many offenses including rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, contact with a minor, corruption of minors, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, indecent assault, prohibited offensive weapons, and simple assault.
Philadelphia Police Department Captain Mark Burgman said that even though the grenades were confirmed as replicas Kaufman is still being charged for possessing them.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a crime, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.