Man forced young girl to strip, molested other girl in tree stand, police say

BLAIR COUNTY, Penn. (WJAC) — State police in Blair County, Pennsylvania have charged a Tyrone man with numerous sex crimes after he was accused of forcing a young girl to strip naked and, in a separate incident, allegedly molesting another young girl while the two were hunting.

Troopers say Dion Bonsell, 40, faces multiple counts of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors, according to online court documents.

State police say in June 2021, they were assigned the case after Tyrone police determined that both incidents had occurred outside of their jurisdiction.

Troopers say the first victim, now 15, told police that when she was approximately 8 or 9 years old, Bonsell had taken her to a camp, located just north of Reservoir Park in Snyder Township.

According to the affidavit, the victim told investigators that when they arrived at the camp, Bonsell allegedly began yelling at her and forced her to strip out of her clothes.

Investigators say the victim told police that she stood naked, and confused about what was going on, for an undisclosed amount of time before Bonsell yelled at her to put her clothes back on.

Troopers say the second victim, now age 14, told police that when she was approximately 7 or 8 years old, Bonsell had taken her archery hunting.

Police say the victim told authorities that while she and Bonsell were in a tree stand, she had complained of being cold, at which time Bonsell allegedly told her to undress so he could "help her layer her clothes and put everything on correctly.'

Police say after Bonsell allegedly made the girl strip down to her socks and underwear, the victim told investigators that he began touching and molesting her.

Troopers say the girl told Bonsell to stop at which time he allegedly replied, "it's okay, it's not bad."

Investigators say the girl explained that after the incident, Bonsell reportedly told her not to tell anyone about what happened and that "it would be their little secret."

Troopers say when they interviewed Bonsell about the allegations and asked him why he was being questioned, he reportedly replied, "something about sexual something against a minor," and advised police that he had been notified of the allegations by CYS.

Authorities say when he was questioned about the incident in the tree stand, he reportedly told police that the girl was cold and shivering and he had woken her up to help her layer her clothes.

Police say Bonsell admitted to accidentally touching the girl's privates when helping her put her clothes back on, but denied the incident being sexual in nature.

Troopers say he also told police that he told the girl's mother about the incident, which she denied having any knowledge of.

Police say when he was questioned about forcing the other girl to strip down in front of him, he denied the allegations and stated that he would only take the girl to the camp when other people were there.

Bonsell was arraigned on the aforementioned charges Monday, court dockets show, and his since posted bond.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 10.