A Palmerton man has been charged with the rape of a child.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Detective Kevin Buck of the Palmerton Borough Police Department in the case against Stephen Ruger:

On June 29, a 14-year-old girl reported to the Palmerton Police Department that she had been sexually assaulted several times by 55-year-old Ruger.

The victim said this occurred numerous times from April through the end of June several times against her will.

On July 13, the victim was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center when she disclosed that the first time this occurred, she was sitting on a couch at Ruger’s home and was holding a bunny he had purchased for her.

The victim said that in mid-May, things began to be different, as Ruger was under the influence of methamphetamine.

She said that Ruger would make her perform sexual acts on him, and if she would say no or refuse to do it, he would threaten to kill her as well as threaten to kill her dog. He would also strike her in the face.

Buck contacted Ruger and set up interviews with him, but Ruger failed to show for each one, calling several times stating he was fearful that as soon as he showed up he was going to jail.

During the final conversation on July 9, Ruger said he would come to the police department July 10, and again failed to show.

Ruger faces charges on two counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and indecent assault; and one count each of statutory sexual assault, voluntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of minors, and indecent assault.

He is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $150,000 bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Sept. 9 before District Judge William Kissner of Palmerton.