TIONESTA, Pa. (EYT) – A former youth mentor at a Forest County residential facility is facing charges for allegedly having a sexual relationship with one of the residents of the program.
According to court documents, 48-year-old Tracy Lynn Gilbert, of Tionesta, was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, in Magisterial District Judge Daniel L. Miller’s office on the following charges:
– Institutional Sexual Assault, Felony 3
– Interfering with Custody Committed Person, Misdemeanor 2
According to a criminal complaint, on May 1, 2018, a Human Services Program Representative reported to the Marienville-based State Police that a known male victim was having sexual intercourse with Tracy Gilbert, a youth mentor at Taylor Diversion. Taylor Diversion Program is a residential independent living program for court-committed at-risk youth located on Highland Street in Tionesta Borough.
The victim fled from Taylor Diversion on May 1 at approximately 2:00 a.m.
Around 10:00 a.m. on May 2, Trooper Nicewonger, of PSP Marienville, spoke to the clinical director at Taylor Diversion.
The clinical director stated that Gilbert was suspended on Monday, April 30, around 11:20 p.m. due to a number of work-related issues under investigation by Taylor Diversion staff, including an incident where a Taylor Diversion teacher allegedly walked into the dorm and observed Gilbert and the victim seated very close on a couch with their legs touching at a time of day when the residents should not have been out of their rooms.
According to the complaint, a photograph was also discovered that depicted Gilbert and the victim holding hands in a dorm room.
During the investigation, it was determined that Gilbert stayed at a motel in Clarion from 6:24 a.m. on May 1, through 5:06 p.m. on May 2. The investigation also determined that upon checkout, Gilbert checked into a hotel in New Stanton, Pa., where she stayed from 9:57 p.m. on May 2, though 11:28 a.m. on May 4.
Trooper Nicewonger spoke to Gilbert at her residence around 10:00 a.m. on May 16. Gilbert allegedly admitted that after she was suspended from the Taylor Diversion Program, she went to a bar in Fryburg and got intoxicated. During the night, the victim sent her a message about leaving the program, and she went back to Taylor Diversion and parked. She said the victim came out of the Vine Street house and got into her vehicle, according to the complaint.
Gilbert allegedly stated that she attempted to talk the victim into returning to the program, but he refused. Gilbert said that when she couldn’t convince him to return to the program, she decided to drive from the area with him and proceeded to the hotel in Clarion, and later on to the hotel in New Stanton, the complaint states.
Gilbert denied any sexual relationship with the victim.
The victim was apprehended by PSP Greensburg troopers on May 21.
Trooper Nicewonger spoke to the victim at PSP Marienville on May 24.
According to the complaint, the victim said that on the night he fled from the Taylor Diversion Program, Gilbert sent him a Facebook message about how she was suspended and was going to the bar. Later that night, Gilbert sent him a message telling him that she would pick him up. The victim explained that he escaped through his bedroom window, met Gilbert when she parked along Vine Street, and got into her vehicle, the complaint indicates.
The victim said they spent a day or two in a hotel in Clarion, then proceeded to New Stanton where they spent several more nights in a hotel. The victim stated he had sexual intercourse with Gilbert while at the hotel in New Stanton, the complaint states.
Based on the investigation, criminal charges were filed in Magisterial District Judge Daniel L. Miller’s office on Wednesday, July 25.
Gilbert was released on $10,000.00 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14, with Judge Miller presiding.
