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A former Blair County prison guard has been charged with statutory sexual assault of a child after an investigation into his relationship with a 14-year-old female.
According to a news release from the Blair County District Attorney's office, John David Mollica, 24, of Roaring Spring was arraigned Friday before Magisterial District Judge Andrew L. Blattenberger on eight felony charges of statutory sexual assault: 4-8 years older, felony charges of intimidating a witness/victim, unlawful contact with a minor – sexual offenses, corruption of minors and interference with custody of children along with misdemeanor charges of tampering with evidence and corruption of minors.
Detectives with the district attorney's office began a weekslong investigation after the victim disclosed the abuse, stating that Mollica had developed a sexual relationship with her for several months that was chronicled in text messages between the two, the release states.
It is noted that Mollica was a Blair County corrections officer at the time of the alleged abuse.
In the messages between the two, Mollica details his obsession with the victim, professes his love, arranges to meet her, discusses his meth abuse and even a pregnancy concern, the district attorney's office reports.
The victim told detectives Mollica warned her to delete the texts, which she did. Detectives, however, were able to recover those messages on her phone, the report states.
She also reported that Mollica said he would get her vapes, money and a new iPhone if she kept silent about the relationship.
When detectives interviewed Mollica, he denied the relationship, claiming he only met her one or two times and that he thought she was 11 years old.
Mollica's bail was set at $100,000 and he was remanded to the Blair County Prison. His preliminary hearing is set for
Feb. 22 before Blattenberger. Mollica's county employment was terminated as of Feb. 2.