Jersey Shore, Pa. — A child rapist with crimes dating back to 2000 was arrested for allegedly assaulting four children and failing to update his address with state police.
Jesse Dillon Roberts of Jersey Shore touched children’s genitals at the Jersey Shore pool and a nearby swimming hole in July, according to Detective Justin Segura of the Lycoming Regional Police Department. Roberts also offered them money for photos of their breasts and grabbed them from behind, Segura said.
Segura first received a report about the 52-year-old Roberts when four children came forward saying they felt uncomfortable around him. One claimed Roberts touched them several times.
A child said she met Roberts through another juvenile and began talking with him on Snapchat. After he began giving the child rides home, Roberts reportedly asked if he could touch her leg. The victim thought it was going to be for a brief moment, but Roberts allegedly kept his hand on the upper part of her thigh for several minutes.
In June, Roberts reportedly assaulted the girl, touching her genitals at the local pool while he was throwing her into the water. This caused the child to distance herself from the middle-aged man, police say.
The alleged harassment continued with Roberts asking for photos of the girl’s breasts. He offered her $20, but was rejected, and Roberts tried to make her feel guilty by saying her friend took the money, according to Segura.
A second female victim, who met Roberts through his girlfriend — her mother, went to a swimming hole with him and her friends. The girl and several other children rode with Roberts, who allegedly harassed them throughout the day.
Roberts reportedly commented on the child’s breasts, and touched her butt and shoulders. He also allegedly talked about using cocaine in front of the children.
Scared of Roberts, the girls said they swam to a nearby rock and refused to leave. Roberts asked why the girls “had to be like that” told them he would get his “Port bitches” after them.
After being dropped off, the group of girls discussed Roberts’ behavior before reaching out to law enforcement.
Attempts to reach Roberts at his listed address failed, Segura said. Investigators learned he was staying with a girlfriend in Jersey Shore and driving a vehicle that hadn’t been reported to state police.
On July 15, Roberts told his probation officer he was turning himself into authorities in Bucks County. Confused, the probation officers said Roberts wasn’t charged with anything.
Roberts stopped speaking with authorities two weeks later. Investigators reached out to his employer, Niagara Bottling, who said Roberts had not reported to work in more than a week.
In August, police confirmed with Roberts’ girlfriend that he took her daughter and friends to Brasses Bridge to go swimming.
Roberts was placed on Megan’s Law for 2010 for convictions including aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, and unlawful contact with a child. He previously pleaded guilty to corruption of minors, indecent assault, simple assault, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault of a child, and aggravated indecent assault of a child.
His newest charges include indecent assault without consent, indecent assault of a child, indecent assault of a person less than 16, failure to register with state police, promotion of prostitution, corruption of minors, photographing a sex act on a child, unlawful contact with a minor, contact with a minor for sex abuse, and conspiracy. Judge Denise Dieter denied him bail.
Roberts is due in court on Oct. 14 for a preliminary hearing.
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