ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An accused sexual predator who targeted women and girls ranging in age from 12 to 50 targeted women for 20 years, according to police.
Eric Alan Wright, 47, of Leechburg, was arrested Friday by Allegheny Township police after surrendering to officers. He faces more than 20 counts ranging from open lewdness to forcible rape.
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Police said in October, a potential rape was reported. During the investigation, police said they learned that it was not an isolated incident and that Wright had committed various sexual crimes against victims in the area since the year 2000.
On January 16, a new charge was filed against Wright after a fifth person accused him of sexual assault. The alleged incident happened in 2018.
Court documents said one 12-year-old girl told police Wright got mad at her for eating cookies and then sexually assaulted her. Another 12-year-old girl told police Wright “exposed himself to her while she was in the shower.”
Allegheny Township police also issued this statement as part of a press release:
“Sexual assaults upon our children are one of the most serious and heinous crimes we investigate. Adults who prey on our young for sexual gratification rob them of their very innocence and trust. We cannot rest until such individuals are detected, arrested, and prosecuted in order to preserve and protect the very future of society.”
Wright’s attorney said he is denying the allegations against him and that he was distraught by what happened.
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