A Tamaqua landlord accused in a series of sexual assaults is in Schuylkill County Prison following an arraignment Monday.

Thomas Edward Rockwell, 78, of 318 Lafayette St., sat through what District Justice Stephen Bayer referred to as a "rights hearing" as various felony and other charges against him were outlined and potential sentences for each of the charges were reviewed.The charges relate to alleged indecent assaults of three girls under the age of 10 which police say took place at two different rental units in the borough.The police affidavit describes how Rockwell would visit his properties unannounced on some occasions, not waiting for permission to enter. According to mothers of the victims, Rockwell appeared under the pretense of performing repairs or simply to talk.Invariably, he found opportunities to be alone with the children.AllegationsAccording to the affidavit, on Aug. 19, Rockwell went to one of the properties and entered the living room, positioning himself between an 8-year-old girl and other people in the room. One of the children told police that Rockwell unzipped his pants and pulled out his "bad parts."When an adult noticed the child's uneasiness, she stood up to investigate. She saw that Rockwell's pants were unzipped and she removed the child from the room, according to the affidavit.The child told police Rockwell often had his zipper open in front of her and touched her groin area almost every time he was at the apartment.Another time, according to the investigation, Rockwell approached the girl while her mother was doing dishes and asked the child to touch his private parts.In another complaint, a tenant said Rockwell seemed overly friendly with her children. At one point, the tenant said she found Rockwell rubbing her child's vagina, covered by clothing, while the child sat on a stairway, according to the affidavit.In yet another case, the mother of a 4-year-old girl claims she discovered Rockwell fondling the preschooler.WarrantPolice issued a warrant for Rockwell on Nov. 24 after he failed to turn himself in. Rockwell showed up on Monday after contacting attorney Nicholas Quinn, Pottsville, who represented Rockwell at the arraignment."I received a frantic phone call from him Wednesday saying there's a warrant for my arrest," said Quinn, who told Bayer that Rockwell isn't a flight risk."The fact that he owns 21 properties, one in Coaldale and 20 in the borough ... it mitigates his risk of flight," said Quinn."He has a daughter, son and two grandchildren. There is every good reason for him to appear for these charges. I'm not looking to demean the significance of these charges," Quinn added.Police, however, argued that Rockwell was difficult to contact."His family tried to hide him," said Tamaqua Police Cpl. Henry Woods."His daughter slammed the door. His son said 'We hadn't seen him in a week.'"Woods said the risk of flight is real."These are serious charges for an older person to deal with. I'm concerned about flight. He had a record in New York and in Florida," Woods told the court.Woods said charges in New York concerned grand larceny and those in Florida were related to flight to avoid prosecution.Rockwell largely remained silent under Quinn's advice, but at one point broke into the discussion."I'm sorry. I can't hear," Rockwell said. "I lost hearing in the Army."Quinn asked his client if he was taking medication.Rockwell said no but alluded to the adverse impact which the warrant has had on him."I developed shakes and shingles," Rockwell said.Bail setBayer weighed both sides and offered his own experience with the accused. Rockwell has appeared in court in the past over tenant-landlord proceedings, said Bayer."I've had nothing but positive interaction (with Rockwell) to date," said Bayer, adding that his job as district justice is to look at the "what ifs" of the situation."If he is convicted, he could be looking at the rest of his life in jail," Bayer explained. "I wish I had the option for electronic monitoring. I do not."Charges include multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors and indecent exposure. The lead offense in one of the cases is involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child.After taking all comments into consideration, Bayer set bail at 10 percent of $100,000 for each of the two criminal complaints, meaning Rockwell needed $20,000 in cash or bond in order to remain free until a preliminary hearing can be scheduled."I don't have it," Rockwell told Bayer.Unable to post the bail requirement, Rockwell was escorted in handcuffs out of Bayer's office by Woods and officer Rick Bekesy and taken to Schuylkill County prison.