SUNBURY - A Sunbury man is in Northumberland County Prison after being accused of raping a 17-year-old city girl at his residence Sunday evening, at one point telling the victim he is a gang member.
Sunbury Police Department Patrolmen Travis Bremigen said Erik Scott Harrington, 25, of 440 Catawissa Ave., was arraigned Monday in front of Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Apfelbaum on three felony counts each of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual assault, and two misdemeanor charges of indecent assault and simple assault.
He was committed to prison in lieu of $300,000 bail.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, officers were dispatched to the victim's residence to speak with her and her father.
The victim said she knew Harrington through Facebook, and had been talking to him through Facebook messenger and text messages.
She had met him in a church parking lot near Reagan Street Sunday evening, and he entered her vehicle. After a conversation, they walked to his residence at 440 Catawissa Ave., located at the corner of Catawissa Avenue and Line Street, the teen told police.
In the residence, she met Harrington's roommate, who was identified as "Crazy Eyes" by Harrington. She observed a knife, which made her uneasy and afraid, but she followed Harrington downstairs, police reported.
The girl admitted to the officer that she had gone to the residence with the intention of having sexual intercourse with Harrington, but changed her mind when she saw the knife and considered her current boyfriend, police said.
After a short conversation, Harrington allegedly started to kiss her, and she told him to stop, police reported.
However, Harrington then allegedly stated, "Oh, you know I'm in a gang," and continued to kiss her while the victim protested, police said.
At this time, Harrington allegedly punched the victim in the eye, causing redness and swelling, and commanded her to take her clothes off and lay down on the couch, where he raped her for approximately 25 minutes, police said. He also forced her to perform oral sex on him, police said.
Harrington escorted the victim back to her vehicle after the assault, police said.
The incident took place between 6:30 and 7 p.m., police said.
The charge of rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse each have a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine, the charge of sexual assault has a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine, and the charges of indicant assault and simple assault each have a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.