Metro

CLEARFIELD — A Houtzdale man will stand trial on over 3,500 felony charges related to the molestation of two young girls.

Police say Randy Lee Pinto, 35, sexually assaulted the girls at a residence in Olanta and another home in Houtzdale beginning in May 2013.

Pinto waived his right to a preliminary hearing during centralized court in Clearfield County on Wednesday, sending the case on to the court of common pleas. He is being held in the county jail without bail.

His wife, Katie Ann Pinto, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of children because she was allegedly aware of the abuse. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 4.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the girls reported that they were being assaulted beginning when they were 5 years old.

During their interview at Clearfield County’s Child Advocacy Center, both girls gave independent detailed accounts of being raped and other sexual abuse by Pinto.

A male juvenile who was a witness was also questioned and confirmed their stories. He reported that he was assaulted when Pinto pushed him down and tried to choke him.

The girls said after the assaults, Pinto would give them money or toys and told them not to tell anyone what happened.

In her affidavit, it says Katie Pinto knew of her husband’s actions with the girls for years but never reported it to authorities. She told officials she was “very afraid of Randy” which is why she never told anyone about the abuse, according to Randy Pinto’s criminal complaint.

Randy Pinto is charged with 500 counts each of rape of child, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault – person less than 13 years old, 510 counts each of endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor, as well as 10 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with child and other related offenses.