Man Found Not Guilty in Porter Twp. Rape; Sent to State Prison for Theft, Escape

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published December 2, 2014 5:45 am
Man Found Not Guilty in Porter Twp. Rape; Sent to State Prison for Theft, Escape

Gavel
CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — According to court documents, a 27-year-old Harrisville man was found not guilty of rape and other offenses of a 16-year-old girl in Porter Township, Clarion County; however, he will be serving a sentence for previous crimes of Theft and Escape.

Records indicate 27-year-old Nathan Gene Watkins, of Harrisville, was arrested on May 22, 2014, by Clarion-based State Police for rape of the teen.

Watkins was charged with the following offenses:

– Rape Forcible Compulsion, Felony 1
– Unlawful Restraint/ Serious Bodily Injury, Felony 2
– Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
– Indecent Assault Forcible Compulsion, Misdemeanor 1

On October 27, 2014, Judge Arner filed a Not Guilty verdict against Watkins.

Assistant District Attorney Drew Welsh declined to comment on the case.

Watkins is currently serving a sentence in Camp Hill State Penitentiary for the following offenses that occurred on November 21, 2013:

– Receiving Stolen Property, Misdemeanor 1
– Theft By Unlaw Taking-Movable Property, Misdemeanor 1
– Corruption Of Minors, Misdemeanor 1

On July 9, 2014, he was sentenced to 9 months to 18 months for each offense that will run concurrently.

He is also serving a sentence for a charge of Escape, Felony 3, that occurred on April 25, 2014, when he allegedly ran from the probation office.

On July 9, 2014, he was sentenced to 24 months to 48 months which will run consecutively with his previous sentence.

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