Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Cops: Haverford man raped 14-year-old girl
MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A 22-year-old Havertown man was arrested Thursday for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl inside her home in April, according to a release from Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland.
“Joseph Robert Valiquette used social media to target this unsuspecting child, engaging her in conversation and then preying on her vulnerability and innocence for his own sexual gratification,” said Copeland in the release. “Sadly, this is a sobering reminder that predators are actively using social media and applications, especially those with geo-locating capabilities, to attempt to lure and victimize children.”
The alleged victim told investigators that she had put a post on the social media application Whisper on April 22 indicating she was depressed and had been fighting with her mother, according to the release.
Another user responded and engaged the girl in a conversation. The alleged victim said he seemed nice and he eventually asked her to hang out and watch a movie. The alleged victim agreed and provided her address to the other user, according to authorities. The Whisper app indicated the other user was about half a mile from her home.
“Within about five minutes of agreeing to meet, the victim observed a male walking down her street toward her residence,” the release states. “She allowed the male into her house at which time he asked to see her bedroom. Once inside, they went into her bedroom where the male began to choke her with both hands around her neck and he pushed her onto the bed. He then pulled off her shorts and forcibly raped her, and then left the residence.”
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael Davis developed a composite sketch of the assailant from a description provided by the girl. The alleged victim said the man, who identified himself only as “Joe,” was a white male over 21 years old with blue eyes, a buzz cut, beard stubble and blonde or reddish hair. She was also able to describe his clothes and jewelry, according to the release.
County Detective Ed Pisani was able to develop Valiquette as a person of interest with the help of the sketch and further investigation, according to the release. Pisani and Haverford Detective Mark Johnson executed a search warrant at Valiquette’s home on the first block of Marthart Avenue Sept. 14, and Valiquette agreed to speak to detectives at the Haverford Police Station.
Valiquette told detectives he believed the victim was 16, according to the release. He also allegedly said the sexual encounter was consensual and denied using any force.
Valiquette was arrested Thursday and charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful contact with a minor, all felonies of the first degree. He is also charged with statutory sexual assault and sexual assault, both felonies of the second degree, indecent assault of person less than 16 years old, a second-degree misdemeanor, and corruption of minors, a felony of the third degree.
Valiquette was preliminarily arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Elisa C. Lacianca and remanded to the county prison in Concord after failing to post ten percent of $150,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11 before Lacianca. Valiquette has been ordered to have no contact with the victim, according to the release.