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Inmate accused of rape

Roth allegedly sexually assaulted another inmate after threatening to beat him up

EBENSBURG — A man lodged in Cambria County Prison is accused of raping another male inmate after threatening to beat him up.

Joseph E. Roth, 18, appeared Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Frederick Creany on criminal charges including felony rape.

According to a criminal complaint filed by Cambria County detectives, an inmate reported in late February that Roth had sexually assaulted him on Feb. 19.

The inmate was interviewed and told police that Roth had previously beat him up because he had used a racial slur, according to the complaint.

On Feb. 19, Roth again threatened violence, telling the other inmate that “he had two options,” according to the complaint.

Roth told the inmate to comply with sex or he would again be assaulted, investigators wrote in the complaint.

The inmate told investigators that he allowed Roth to have sex with him because “he was afraid of Roth,” according to the complaint.

During a separate interview, Roth allegedly told investigators that the sex was consensual, according to the complaint.

Later, Roth again contacted investigators through a mental health professional, saying “he needed to tell … the truth,” the complaint reads.

During a recorded conversation, Roth allegedly confessed to raping the other inmate for about 30 seconds “until (the inmate) stated that it hurt,” investigators said.

Online court documents show that Roth faces felony charges of rape, indecent assault, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, assault by a prisoner and aggravated harassment by a prisoner.

He also faces lesser charges of indecent assault, making terroristic threats, simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Roth is to appear for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. March 13 before Creany.

Mirror Staff Writer Sean Sauro is at 946-7535.

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