Philipsburg man charged with sexually assaulting teen girl appears in court

A preliminary hearing was held Wednesday morning for a Philipsburg man accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in August.

Samuel Wilbur Connor IV, 40, appeared before District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker on Wednesday. Connor is charged with sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault.

The alleged assault took place Aug. 19 in an empty apartment in downtown State College. Connor was working as a contractor painting apartments in the area on the day the incident took place.

The girl appeared in court Wednesday morning and gave her account of the alleged assault. She said she did not know Connor by name but had seen him on two previous occasions downtown just a few weeks before the alleged assault took place.

The girl said she had just finished work Aug. 19 and was on her way to get lunch when she passed by Connor, who was standing outside of the CVS Pharmacy on Beaver Avenue. She testified that Connor said something as she was passing the CVS. She said she stopped, turned around and spoke to him for “seven to eight minutes.”

Shortly into the conversation, she testified, Connor asked her if she wanted “to go upstairs and have sex with him.” After telling him “no,” she said Connor grabbed her wrist and wouldn’t let go. According to court records, downtown video cameras affirm that Connor grabbed the girl’s wrist.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the girl repeatedly told Connor “no” and to “let her go.” The girl said Connor ignored her and continued pulling her upstairs against her will. She said he then forced himself on her. Once upstairs, she said, Connor reached his hands down the front of her pants. After manually and orally molesting her, she said, Connor pulled her pants down to her knees and engaged in unwanted intercourse with her.

Connor admitted to police that he had sex with the girl but he maintained the sex was consensual, according to court documents.

She testified that after the assault took place she left the apartment. She testified she returned later the same day, but did not elaborate.

Connor is being held at the Centre County Correctional Facility. If convicted he could face up to 15 years in state prison.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Philipsburg man charged with sexually assaulting teen girl appears in court."