Police say teen communicated with 49-year-old man through secretive phone app

SCOTT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A 49-year-old Scott Township man is facing a charge of statutory sexual assault for an alleged illicit relationship with a teenage girl.

According to police, they first investigated Richard Pruss in 2012 when he admitted to hanging out with a then-13-year-old girl inside his Magazine Street home without her parents' permission.

Investigators said they warned Pruss and agreed to stop. The teen’s parents also forbade her from contacting the much older man.

However, using a popular cellphone application, police said the girl and Pruss were able to continue their relationship without her parents ever noticing.

According to police, the alleged crime came to light a few days ago and Pruss turned himself into police Tuesday morning.

“He turned himself in this morning,” Scott Township police Sgt. Jeff Skees said.

Skees said there was enough information stored on the girl’s cellphone to charge Pruss with statutory sex assault.

“One (of the apps) is Magi Jack and another is Mo Plus. Another is Voxer. These apps are free, inexpensive and you can make calls like you have a second phone,” Skees said.

WPXI