DURYEA — A Scranton man was arraigned Thursday on charges he attempted to coerce a girl into having sex by placing his hand on her leg and kissing her, according to court records.
Fernando Rosa-Rivera, 25, of Pittston Avenue, allegedly kissed the girl, 15, and placed his hand on her leg while attempting to convince the girl to have sex on Oct. 3.
Police said the incident took place inside a residence on York Avenue.
Rosa-Rivera was arraigned by District Judge Alexandra Kokura Kravitz in Pittston on two counts each of indecent assault and harassment, and one count each of corruption of minors and simple assault. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $35,000 bail.
According to the criminal complaint:
The girl told police she was in the kitchen when Rosa-Rivera was behind a bathroom door asking her about her sexual activity and if she was interested in experimenting.
Rosa-Rivera emerged from the bathroom wearing only a towel when he kissed the girl. She pushed him away and sat on a stool where she claimed Rosa-Rivera kissed her again and placed his hand on her leg he moved to her genitals.
The girl pushed Rosa-Rivera away again.
Rosa-Rivera initially denied anything happened when he was interviewed by police.
Police said Rosa-Rivera admitted to the alleged offense when he was confronted with copies of text messages from him to the girl.