Two Luzerne County men have been charged with indecent assault and related counts involving a young Carbon County girl 11 years ago.

Beaver Meadows police chief Michael Morresi has charged Mark Ronald Jacoby, 41, of Sugarloaf, and Gabriel P. Leshko, 44, currently an inmate at the state correctional institution at Dallas, Luzerne County.

According to the affidavit of probable cause in the Jacoby case, in August the victim, now 21, arrived at the borough police office and reported during the summer of 2009, when she resided at a residence in the borough, under her mother’s care, she was victimized by Jacoby. She was 10 at the time.

She said Jacoby was living at the residence because he needed a placed to stay and her father, who was away that summer serving in the military, permitted him to stay. She said Jacoby was a trusted family friend and spent a lot of time with her. She accused him of inappropriately touching her and provided statements accusing Jacoby in detail.

Morresi interviewed Jacoby in November and he admitted to the accusations, according to the affidavit.

Leshko investigation

In the affidavit of probable cause in the Leshko investigation the time line of the alleged assaults is the same. The victim stated Leshko was a frequent visitor at her residence and considered a trusted family friend. She stated he inappropriately touched her and exposed himself to her.

She said the incident when he exposed himself occurred when she and Leshko were going to a store in the borough and he said he had to urinate. He went out of sight, but then called to her. That’s when he exposed himself.

Leshko was interviewed at the state prison in August and admitted to the accusations, the affidavit states. He also stated he did not remember exactly how many times it occurred but said sometimes the assaults occurred in the TV room at the residence. He said he could not remember when he exposed himself to the girl.

Jacoby is charged with unlawful contact with a minor - sexual offenses; corruption of minors and indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age. Leshko has been charged with unlawful contact with a minor - sexual offenses; corruption of minors; indecent assault of a person less that 13 years of age; indecent exposure; and open lewdness.