OC man held for court on indecent assault charge

By MARISSA DECHANT
Staff writer

An Oil City man accused of the indecent assault of a 16-year-old female family member was held for court Wednesday.

Matthew Bialo, 46, appeared before district judge Patrick Lowrey for his preliminary hearing in Venango County Central Court.

Assistant District Attorney Brenda Servidio called the 16-year-old girl to testify about the incident, which occurred at Bialo’s residence on Nov. 11.

The girl said Bialo had been drinking with friends that evening, and she believed he had consumed at least three 12-ounce cans of beer.

The girl said she had been sleeping on and off while watching movies in an upstairs bedroom when Bialo entered the room around 10:30 p.m.

Bialo got into bed with the girl and placed his hand on her hip, she said. He then began touching her inappropriately, calling her by both her name and a nickname, the girl said.

Bialo asked the girl if she was OK with his actions, but she didn’t respond, eventually leaving the room, she said.

Another family member was present in the bed during the incident, but she had been asleep during most of it, the girl said.

Defense attorney Charles Rosen provided no argument against the charges.

Lowrey ruled that misdemeanor charges of indecent assault and corruption of minors be bound over for further proceedings.

Bialo remains free after posting $15,000 bail.