A Luzerne County man has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by trooper Kenneth Santos of the Pennsylvania State Police, Hazleton barracks in the case against Joseph Haggerty:

At around 7 p.m. June 6, PSP Hazleton became aware of a statutory sexual assault.

The complainant, the victim’s mother, said she became aware of a sexual encounter between her 15-year-old daughter and a male, Haggerty, 25, after observing messages on her daughter’s phone.

The victim’s mother said that she communicated with Haggerty, at which time he admitted that he and the victim had sex.

Upon telling Haggerty that she was the victim’s mother, Haggerty asked her not to involve law enforcement.

At around 8 p.m. Haggerty arrived at PSP Hazleton for an interview and disclosed that he and the victim had sex on one occasion, in his vehicle, near the victim’s residence.

At around 1 p.m. July 12, a forensic interview was conducted with the victim, who identified Haggerty and corroborated the sexual encounter between the two.

Haggerty faces charges of statutory sexual assault, and corruption of minors.

He is free in lieu of $100,000 unsecured bail. Charges were waived for court.