A Pottsville man goes on trial this morning facing allegations that he raped a minor.
John Thomas Riley, 45, has been charged with a raft of felonies in the case, including several counts of rape, rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (IDSI), IDSI with a child, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault, corruption of a minor and indecent assault.
The Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office has indicated that if it’s successful in proving their case, they’ll ask for Riley to serve maximum sentences for each crime consecutively. That could mean Riley would spend the rest of his life in prison.
A three-day trial has been scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Schuylkill County Courthouse. The case will be heard in Courtroom 7 with Schuylkill County Common Pleas Judge James Goodman presiding.
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bench is representing the prosecution while Riley is represented by William Stephens Jr., Kingston.
Commonwealth v. John Thomas Riley
A police investigation into Riley began in April 2024 when they say a call was received about alleged abuse. The victim in this case testified at a preliminary hearing in August 2024 as to how Riley’s requests of her escalated over time, from rubbing his feet and legs to inappropriate touching to forced sex.
This alleged illicit activity carried on over the course of several years, the victim said.
Riley has denied any inappropriate behavior on his part but has allegedly admitted to police during their investigation that he’d have the victim rub his feet and legs in the past.
At his arraignment last July, Riley was temporarily sent to Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 bail, which was posted. Riley remains free on bail.
This trial was scheduled to begin during the last trial period at the Courthouse but illness struck Stephens on the day it was to begin and both sides agreed to continue it until September.
👉 FULL COVERAGE: Trust Coal Region Canary to provide full, in-depth coverage of this trial. Check for updates from the Courthouse here and on our Facebook page.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Pottsville Man Accused of Raping a Child Over Several Years
- Victim Testifies in Child Sex Assault Case; Prosecutors Tack on Felony Charge
Subscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...