Portage man charged with groping girl during high school football game, police say
PORTAGE, Pa. – A Portage man is awaiting arraignment, accused of groping a Portage high school student during a football game in August, authorities said.
Portage Borough police charged Donald Joseph Novak, 74, of the 700 block of Grant Street, with two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.
According to a complaint affidavit, Novak allegedly groped a 14-year-old student during halftime of a football game Aug. 30 at the stadium, 1510 Caldwell Ave.
Novak works football games as a member of the chain gang.
Novak was sitting behind the school band before their halftime performance when he allegedly walked up to the girl, said something and grabbed her, the affidavit said.
Charges were filed after a forensic interview was conducted with the girl at Circle of Support Child Advocacy Center in Richland Township.
Novak denied the incident during a police interview. He declined to speak with police a second time on the advice of his attorney, the affidavit said.
Charges were filed before District Judge John Prebish, of Cresson.
