SMETHPORT — A Bradford man accused of molesting a child pleaded guilty Thursday in McKean County Court.
When Jason R. Girdlestone, 44, was arrested Aug. 1, several officers from the Bradford City Police and the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force went to the home due to a report that Girdlestone had armed himself with a 30/30 rifle, police stated at the time of his arrest.
He was taken into custody without incident, police reported.
On Thursday, Girdlestone entered a guilty plea to charges of aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children and flight to avoid apprehension.
According to Assistant District Attorney Ashley Shade, between July 1, 2017, and July 23, 2019, Girdlestone engaged in penetration, however slight, of the genitals of a 10-year-old girl. Then, he concealed himself in the commonwealth to avoid apprehension.
He must undergo a sexually violent predator evaluation, and a sentencing date will be scheduled by subsequent order.
Girdlestone is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
A codefendant, George H.L. Cabisca, 40, of Bradford, has a last-day-to-plea conference set for Nov. 14.
Cabisca faces one charge of hindering apprehension-harbor or conceal for allegations that he let Girdlestone stay at his 173 Kennedy St. home, even though he knew police were looking for Girdlestone, according to court records.
