Zimmerman

A Martinsburg man already behind bars on felony charges of statutory sexual assault is now facing additional felony counts after an investigation allegedly revealed he solicited a different underage girl for sex in June 2025.

Braeden James Zimmerman, 23, was charged Monday with single felony counts of statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility. He is being held at the Blair County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail in a separate case.

On Oct. 7, an Altoona Police Department detective began investigating Zimmerman for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female. A relative of the victim told the detective that Zimmerman’s red truck was frequently parked at the victim’s residence. The victim then denied knowing Zimmerman or having any sexual contact with him, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The detective noted in his report that he was already familiar with Zimmerman because he arrested Zimmerman in 2024 for offenses relating to child sexual abuse. In that case, Zimmerman pleaded guilty to statutory sexual assault. Zimmerman had since been charged by both state police in February 2025 for not registering as required under Megan’s Law and Allegheny Township police in October 2025 for statutory sexual assault and unlawful contact with a minor, the police report states.

The detective located Zimmerman on the Megan’s Law website, which listed Zimmerman as a Tier II offender. It also listed a maroon Ford F150 as being registered to Zimmerman, the report states.

In an interview on Oct. 14, Zimmerman initially told the detective that the victim was his cousin, before saying she was friends with his cousin. Zimmerman said he and the victim would hang out in person and he regularly picked her up. While he denied having sexual or inappropriate contact with the victim, Zimmerman said the victim flirted with him, the report states.

A search warrant executed on Zimmerman’s cellphone showed communication between Zimmerman and the victim through text, Facebook and Snapchat messages beginning in May. On June 8, Zimmerman messaged the victim saying “I am going to kiss you” followed by “I am going to take that a**,” according to the affidavit.

On June 20, Zimmerman messaged the victim about her new boyfriend, saying “I was sitting here waiting on you to turn 18 … but I guess you do not want me or you would wait.” The victim replied “Gang ur 23 she 15,” then said her boyfriend sent the message. The victim ultimately blocked Zimmerman on June 29, the report states.

Zimmerman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 15 in front of Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones.