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LOCK HAVEN -- John Mitchell Poorman, 41, of Williamsport, had all 23 counts bound over for trial following a preliminary hearing on Monday afternoon at the Clinton County Courthouse. According to a release from District Attorney Dave Strouse's office via Crimewatch, District Judge Frank Mills presided at the hearing and found that the Commonwealth had established a prima facie case on all charges.
Strouse prosecuted the case at the preliminary hearing and presented two witnesses, the victim and the arresting officer.
Poorman was originally charged on Sept. 9 with nine counts of various sex offenses committed against a female juvenile by the Mill Hall Borough Police Department.
Prior to the preliminary hearing, Strouse withdrew the original criminal complaint and approved a second criminal complaint against Poorman.
Poorman's most recent charges include: rape, a first degree felony; rape by forcible compulsion, a first degree felony; involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with victim less than 14, a first degree felony; involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, a first degree felony; unlawful contact with a child, a first degree felony; statutory sexual assault, a first degree felony; sexual assault, a second degree felony; aggravated indecent assault, a second degree felony; corruption of minors, a third degree felony; indecent assault by force, a first degree misdemeanor; indecent exposure, a first degree misdemeanor; indecent assault of a child under 16, a second degree misdemeanor; and indecent assault, a second degree misdemeanor.
Following the hearing, Poorman's attorney, Paul Petcavage, Esq., argued that Mills should set bail for Poorman, claiming he was not able to effectively assist in preparing his defense. Strouse opposed calling Poorman a threat to public safety, and then outlined Poorman's history of criminal offenses dating back two decades.
Mills denied bail and remanded Poorman to be held in custody at the Clinton County Correctional Facility until the conclusion of the case.