Firefighter charged with sex assault of girl, 13

A 30-year-old borough man is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, acts that included a game called “check the oil” that he liked to play, according to charges filed Wednesday.

Anthony W. Tinney, of the 900 block of Saville Avenue, who surrendered Wednesday, is being held at the county prison in lieu of 10 percent of $200,000 bail on myriad counts of indecent assault without consent, indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age, indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor, according to police and online court records.

An investigation by borough Police Lt. Joseph Pretti began back in March when he received information from Children and Youth Services of Delaware County regarding the possible sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl. A CYS worker received the information on March 21, 2017, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

“The information that was disclosed was in regard to the victim receiving inappropriate comments from an adult male who is around 30 years of age. There was also a disclosure that the adult male touched the victim inappropriately and may have penetrated her through her clothing with his finger on several occasions. The adult male also liked to play a game called ‘check the oil,’” the affidavit reads in part.

According to authorities, Tinney is a member of the Ridley Park Fire Department and a former member of the Eddystone Fire Department. The affidavit indicates that he is a parent.

According to the affidavit, the victim described Tinney as a family friend, “like a brother” to her. She reportedly said he would make comments about and touch her body, offered to buy her sex toys and vibrators, and that he took her to his Eddystone apartment where he showed her his collection of pornographic videos.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Tinney’s residence in June, confiscating about 100 Xrated movies, videos and magazines, as well as 10 cellphones. Tinney was at home at the time and cooperative, according to the affidavit. Authorities said inappropriate conduct also occurred at locations in Tinicum and Prospect Park.

During an interview with police, according to the affidavit, Tinney said he showed the victim how to play the game, “check the oil.” He described the game as penetrating someone’s buttocks with a finger.

“He admitted to playing the game with her but said that he would never insert his finger into her buttocks or vaginal area. He said that he may have touched her buttocks while playing the game,” the affidavit states.

Tinney also admitted to telling the girl he would buy her a sex toy, but that he was only joking, the affidavit states.

According to the affidavit, Tinney said he believes that the victim was in his apartment two times but “nothing happened,” and

that his daughter was always present. Tinney admitted sending the victim text and Snapchat messages telling her that she was beautiful, the charging document states.

The Ridley Park Fire Department website lists “Tony Tinney” among its 2016 board of directors. There was no response to a message left at the firehouse Thursday afternoon.

The Eddystone Fire Co. later released this statement:

“Mr. Tinney has not been affiliated with the Eddystone Fire Company in almost a decade. We have had no professional contact with Mr. Tinney since we severed ties with him.

“The officers and members of the Eddystone Fire Company are confident a thorough investigation will be conducted by the Eddystone Police Department and the Delaware County D.A.’s office on this reported criminal conduct by Mr. Tinney.

“We would like to extend our complete support, and thoughts to any victims that may be located after the completed investigation into Mr. Tinney’s reported actions. The officers and members of the Eddystone Fire Company abhors any and all conduct of this nature that has been reported.

“The Eddystone Fire Company has been in continuous service to the residents of the Borough of Eddystone and surrounding communities for 117 years and will continue to proudly serve our community and neighbors in a professional, caring, and respectful manner as we have always strived to do.

“We will have no further comment on this matter. Thank you.”

It was not immediately known if Tinney had retained an attorney.

“We would like to extend our complete support, and thoughts to any victims that may be located after the completed investigation into Mr. Tinney’s reported actions. The officers and members of the Eddystone Fire Company abhors any and all conduct of this nature that has been reported.” — Statement released by the Eddystone Fire Co.

Anthony Tinney