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FREELAND — A man is facing a slew of charges after he allegedly sexually assaulted a girl over the course of several years.
Clyde Solt, 57, of Alvin Street, Freeland, is accused of inappropriately touching and abusing the girl since she was 8.
Officials were able to track him down after they say Solt reached out to therapists to seek help.
According to a criminal complaint:
Police in Freeland were notified by licensed therapists of a correspondence from Solt they obtained via their website May 1.
In that correspondence, Solt wrote that he needed help “in regard to my tendency to sexually touch” a minor child known to him. He also wrote that he knew it “will eventually destroy my family.”
The therapists forwarded the complaint to the Freeland Police Department, and an officer got in touch with Luzerne County Children and Youth Services on May 2.
An officer and a caseworker arrived at Solt’s residence later that same day.
In an interview at the Scranton Children’s Advocacy Center on May 3, the victim told investigators the abuse started as Solt inappropriately touching her and escalated to sexual intercourse.
Over the weekend of April 28, the victim reported that Solt again inappropriately touched her, and told her not to tell her mother “because I’ll be in trouble.” She also described other sexual assaults throughout the weekend, including Solt getting into the shower with her.
On May 4, investigators were able to trace the Internet protocol (IP) address of the inquiry made to therapists back to Solt’s residence.
Solt is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, rape of an unconscious victim, rape of forcible compulsion, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, and corruption of minors.
Solt is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Daniel O’Donnell at 9 a.m. May 15.
He is jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $250,000 bail.