HARRISBURG, Pa. — A 54-year-old man from Westmoreland County has been charged with multiple offenses related to the sexual abuse of two children between 1989 and 1997, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General announced Monday.
The charges against Timothy Willochell are the result of a presentment from the 52nd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, which is currently reviewing allegations involving members of Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations in Pennsylvania. Willochell is the 17th individual charged in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Willochell was arraigned last Wednesday on charges including aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of minors, and related offenses. His bail was set at $170,000. He has been ordered to have no contact with minors. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 21.
According to testimony presented to the grand jury, one of the alleged victims reported that the abuse occurred during family visits between 1989 and 1992, beginning when they were five years old. The second individual testified that they were under ten years old when the alleged abuse occurred at a campsite between 1993 and 1997.
“This defendant preyed on two children, waiting for opportunities to assault them when they were alone and at their most vulnerable,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday. “I commend the victims for their bravery in coming forward, and applaud grand jurors who continue to diligently hear testimony as part of a comprehensive investigation.”
Senior Deputy Attorney General Alicia Werner is prosecuting the case.
All charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
