Lewis Run Man Faces New Charges
A Lewis Run, Pennsylvania man, Ray COAST, is facing additional charges in connection with a series of alleged sex crimes. According to District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer, COAST has been charged with 22 counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child, 16 counts of Child Pornography, and other related offenses. These new charges are in addition to the existing complaints filed against him, which include Rape, Sexual Extortion, and Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse.
The investigation, led by Trooper Richard Obermeyer of the Pennsylvania State Police, has uncovered evidence of COAST’s alleged crimes spanning a three-year period. The alleged victim, a male who was under the age of 18 at the time, was reportedly subjected to multiple sex acts at COAST’s home in Lewis Run and within the City of Bradford. COAST is currently being held on $1 million and $250,000 bail for each of the two existing criminal complaints.
The new charges against COAST include Dissemination to Minors, Criminal Use of a Communication Device, and other related counts. The Commonwealth is seeking enhancements to the sentencing code due to the large number of videos and photographs involved, as well as the nature of the content and the fact that the victim was known to COAST. A preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place next week.
The Pennsylvania State Police are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward and contact them at (814)368-9230 or 911. As the investigation continues, it is clear that COAST is facing serious allegations that could result in significant consequences if convicted.
