Cooperstown man accused of sexually assaulting boy

By Marissa Dechant
Staff writer

A Cooperstown man is facing felony charges related to a sexual assault incident that occurred New Year’s Day in Oil City.

A criminal complaint filed through district judge Andrew Fish’s office says Kyle B. Heffern, 20, engaged in sexual and deviate sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old boy during the late afternoon hours of Jan. 1.

After making arrangements via text message and a social dating application, Heffern met the boy in the downtown area of Oil City’s South Side, the complaint said.

Once together, Heffern drove to the Samuel Justus Recreational Trail on Osbourne Street, the complaint said.

Heffern and the boy walked to a wooded area off the trail and performed sexual acts before they returned to Heffern’s vehicle, the complaint said. Heffern then drove the boy to an area near the boy’s home and dropped him off, the complaint said.

Police learned the details of the incident in a video and audio recorded interview with the boy at the police station, the complaint said.

Heffern admitted in a phone call with Oil City police that he had been “physical” with the boy, according to the complaint.

Heffern is facing felony counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a minor under 16, statutory sexual assault-4-8 years older and aggravated indecent assault of a complainant who is less than 16 years of age, in addition to a misdemeanor charge of indecent assault of a person who is less than 16.

Heffern was arraigned before Fish and released on $100,000 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.