VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) – A hearing for a local man facing felony charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl in Plum Township, Venango County, is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

According to court documents, a preliminary hearing for 40-year-old Gerald Russell Schneider, of Titusville, is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, in Venango County Central Court with Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland presiding.

He faces the following charges:

– Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
– Unlawful Contact With Minor – Sexual Offenses, Felony 3
– Indecent Assault Person Less than 13 Years of Age, Felony 3

The preliminary hearing has been continued four times: on September 28, October 5, October 19, and November 9.

Schneider remains lodged in the Venango County Prison on $15,000.00 cash bail.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint released on September 27, the criminal investigation was initiated after Franklin-based State Police received a report from Venango County CYS alleging that Schneider had “indecent contact” with an underage girl at a Plum Township residence.

During an interview at CYS in March 2022, the victim told a forensic interviewer that Schneider touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions.

The victim told the forensic interviewer that the incidents began in 2019 when Schneider would rub her feet and her back under her shirt.

In addition, he is accused of smacking the victim’s buttocks and touching her genitals, according to the criminal complaint.

Schneider also allegedly made sexual remarks to the victim on multiple occasions and stood outside her window at night.

Schneider is a registered sex offender, according to the Pennsylvania Megan’s Law website. He was convicted of the aggravated indecent assault of a minor in 2011. According to the Titusville Herald, he was ordered to serve 4 to 22 years in prison following the conviction. He served approximately seven years before being released.