A former Palmerton man admitted in Carbon County court on Tuesday that he sexually assaulted a young girl in 2020.

Donavin Christman, 19, of Catasaqua, pleaded guilty before Judge Joseph J. Matika to one count each of statutory sexual assault, a felony 2, and indecent assault of a person less than 16, a misdemeanor 2.

Christman was arrested by Palmerton police on July 24, 2020, after police received a report on June 6, 2020, from the mother of a then 13-year-old girl.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Detective Kevin Buck of the borough police, he spoke with the victim, who said that in March she began speaking with the defendant and said that within the first 24 hours she advised him that she was 13 and he had told her he was 18.

The victim advised they had spoken for some time on both Snapchat as well as phone calls and in the beginning of April, Christman would begin showing up at her residence when her mother was not at home and they would be in the backyard together.

The victim said Christman had kissed her in late April and referenced several times about their ages, stating that he could get caught and in trouble, as well as telling her after they had intercourse that the victim could not tell anyone because he could go to jail.

The victim said the two had relations from late April through early June, with these occurrences beginning after Christman began convincing her to sneak out of her house. The victim said that when she would sneak out, Christman would pick her up and they would drive back to Palmerton, where they would sometimes hang out in the park for a while before returning to Christman’s home.

The victim said this occurred between four to eight times.

On June 12, the victim was also interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center.

On June 14, Buck spoke with Christman, who said he did not wish to speak about the incident.

In exchange for the plea, the district attorney’s office dropped a count of aggravated sexual assault, a felony 2, and corruption of a minor, a misdemeanor 2.

Matika said the case falls under the provisions of Megan’s Law. He deferred sentencing and ordered Christman be evaluated by the state sexual offenders assessment board. Matika also ordered the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation report.

Sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 14.