By SALLY BELL
Staff writer
An Oil City man is facing a first-degree misdemeanor count of corruption of minors for allegedly having sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl, and the woman who reported the incident also is being charged.
James Raben, 42, is accused of having sexual relations with the teenager at his residence.
A criminal complaint filed through District Judge Andrew Fish’s office said that Erica Grimes, 27, of Oil City, went to the Oil City Police Department to report that Raben was having sex with a 17-year-old girl.
Grimes claimed that she walked in on Raben and the girl engaging in a sexual act at his residence sometime between May 12 and 14, according to the complaint. Grimes told police that she knew the girl was only 17, the complaint said.
Oil City police Patrolman Cory Ruditis contacted the girl and her parents on May 22, the complaint said. The girl told Ruditis that the sex act involved both Grimes and Raben and that all three had had sexual relations, according to the complaint.
On May 23, officers went to Raben’s residence and he admitted to a sexual act with the girl and Grimes, the complaint said. Raben agreed to an interview and went to the Oil City Police Department to provide a statement.
Raben told police that he and Grimes had contact with the girl about two weeks ago somewhere in Oil City and the three agreed to go back to his residence, the complaint said.
Raben said that the three became involved in sexual acts at his residence, according to the complaint. He said that he was unsure of the girl’s age during the incident, the complaint said.
Raben never stated during the interview with police that he believed the girl to be over the age of 18, the complaint said.
Grimes also has been charged with a misdemeanor count of corruption of minors in the case.
Grimes was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Patrick Lowrey and was placed in the Venango County jail after failing to post $5,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday in Central Court.
A summons was issued against Raben, and a preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday in Central Court.
