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Freeland man charged with sexual assault of a child

Standard-Speaker - 5/9/2017

May 09--A Freeland man faces seven felonies and other charges because police say he sexually assaulted a young girl for years.

Clyde A. Solt, 57, of Alvin Street, Freeland, was arrested late Thursday night and charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse forcible compulsion, rape of an unconscious victim, rape forcible compulsion, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and other violations by Luzerne County Detective Charles Balogh, who is also a member of the State Police Northeast Computer Crime Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Solt was taken to jail after failing to post $250,000 bail set by Magisterial District Judge Joseph Zola, Hazleton, the night of his arrest and remained incarcerated as of Monday.

He awaits a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Daniel O'Donnell, Sugarloaf Twp.

Arrest papers state a therapist received a communication May 1 around 4:30 p.m. from a person claiming to be Solt, who stated he needed help because he had a tendency to touch a minor.

After the message was sent, Freeland police were alerted to allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by Solt against the victim at a home in Freeland.

Freeland police and Luzerne County Children and Youth Services conducted initial interviews with the victim and Solt the following day, finding various types of sexual abuse began in 2012 and continued through present time, sometimes taking place while the victim was asleep.

The victim later told an interviewer at the Scranton Children's Advocacy Center that she couldn't remember every time Solt touched or engaged in a sex act with her but she did remember telling him to stop during the latest assault.

A physical examination of the victim, court papers state, showed evidence of sexual contact and on May 4,

Freeland police contacted the district attorney's office for assistance at which time Balogh was assigned.

Balogh later determined the internet protocol address linked to the message to the therapist originated from Solt's home.

Contact the writer: achristman@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3584

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