Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
A Croydon man was charged with nearly two dozen charges related to a sexual assault investigation.
Joseph Gries, 50, of the Croydon section of Bristol Township, was charged with 22 offenses including rape, sexual assault, making terroristic threats, aggravated indecent assault and simple assault.
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The investigation began in February when a dispatched officer found a woman who had left a Bristol Township home and went to a neighbor, complaining of the way they were treated by Gries.
Through initial discussions with two females, it became apparent that Gries was causing distress through mental and physical abuse, according to the probable cause affidavit. A report to Bucks County Children and Youth was filed for two of the young girls, while a third adult victim stayed with a neighbor, court documents declare.
All three woman claimed to be sexually assaulted by Gries, according to court documents. The exact age of the two girls who were under age were blacked out in court papers.
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The adult woman came into contact with Gries after meeting his son. Gries promised her she could get her life together by staying with him, court papers filed by police said.
The adult woman spent five years with Gries, beginning at age 19. During that time, she was sexually assaulted, police said.
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Gries is being held on 10 percent of $100,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 16 at 10 a.m. at Judge Frank Peranteau’s court.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
