A Schuylkill County man is accused of climbing through a bathroom window of a Pottsville apartment early Wednesday morning and sexually assaulting a woman as she slept in her bed, police say.
Tyshon Handley, 35, of Pottsville, is charged with felony burglary, felony criminal trespass, and misdemeanor indecent assault.
Police were dispatched to a home in the 200 block of Howard Ave. shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a breaking and entering and a possible sexual assault in progress, according to police.
Officers went to the side of the apartment and found that a lower level window leading into the bathroom had been opened. While officers were outside, a woman could be heard screaming from inside the apartment, and officers made entry. Once inside, officers made contact with Handley, who was detained.
The tenant, who was covering herself with a blanket, told police she had been sleeping in her bed when she woke to find Handley standing in her bedroom. She told police she was still lying in bed when Handley sat down at the foot of the bed and began talking to her.
Handley then began kissing her feet and legs, the woman told police. She said Handley put his head under her blanket and performed a sex act on her.
The woman told police she was in fear for her safety and texted her mother because she could do so discreetly. Her mother called 9-1-1 and officers arrived moments later and took Handley into custody, according to police.
Police say they reviewed the text conversation between the woman and her mother, in which she wrote that Handley had broken into the apartment and asked for help, saying she feared she was going to be hurt and raped. Officers also viewed a short video the woman recorded that showed Handley on top of her.
Handley was arraigned Wednesday morning before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley, who set bail at $75,000. Unable to post bail, Handley was committed to Schuylkill County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday before Reiley.
Schuylkill County Crisis & Support Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, free, confidential, and inclusive help is available 24/7 in Schuylkill County.
- Schuylkill Hope Center (Domestic Violence): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 622-6220, text HOPELINE to 20121, or visit schopecenter.org. Services include emergency shelter, housing assistance, counseling, and legal representation.
- SARCC (Sexual Assault): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 628-2965 or visit sarccheals.org for counseling, advocacy, and healing support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Outside Schuylkill County: Residents across Pennsylvania can find their local domestic violence program at pcadv.org. You can also visit domesticshelters.org to find resources near you.
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