A Tamaqua man has been charged with sexually assaulting a young girl in exchange for drugs.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Ryan English of the Pennsylvania State Police Lehighton barracks in the case against Daniel Giniewski Jr.:

The investigation began with two reports of suspected child abuse and neglect received from the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office.

The referral source was a medical professional from the St. Luke’s Hospital Easton Campus New Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit, who said that a 16-year-old girl, known to use controlled substances, overheard the girl telling another juvenile patient that she uses methamphetamine.

When the juvenile inquired where the girl obtains the meth, she said, “I hang out with my 50-year-old that gives me meth.”

The juvenile patient then asked the girl “do you do what I think you do with him to get the meth?” and the girl responded, “yeah, I have sex with him.”

At 6:15 p.m. Aug. 5, English conducted a recorded interview with the girl at the New Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit Easton Campus.

At that time, the girl said that on Aug. 1, she overdosed at a home in Bowmanstown from a “speed ball” of heroin and methamphetamine and was transported to the hospital for medical attention.

The girl said that she has been using both methamphetamines and heroin for about a year, and that she was sexually active with multiple men and has had sex with them in exchange for drugs.

The girl said that she entered into a relationship with Giniewski, 24, in October 2021 through January 2022, and that during their relationship, Giniewski resided with her in a home in Bowmanstown.

The girl said that she and Giniewski were sexually active and engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse over 30 times, and that Giniewski introduced her to controlled substances, specifically heroin and methamphetamines.

On Sept. 2, an application for search warrant and affidavit of probable cause for Facebook records associated with the girl and Giniewski was approved by Carbon County Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Perilli and issued by Carbon County Magisterial District Judge William J. Kissner of Palmerton.

Facebook records associated with the girl and Giniewski were entered into evidence at PSP Lehighton, and a comprehensive review of the Facebook records associated with communications between the victim and Giniewski indicates that Giniewski provided the victim controlled substances and engaged in a physically intimate relationship with her knowing the victim was 14-15 years of age.

In the communications, Giniewski expressed concerns that their relationship and activities would be brought to the attention of law enforcement.

Giniewski also advised the girl if asked, to lie about her age and say she was 18 years old.

The incidents in the complaint would have occurred when the girl was 14-15 years old and Giniewski was 23.

Giniewski faces charges of statutory sexual assault; indecent deviate sexual intercourse with a person no less than 16 years of age; aggravated indecent assault; corruption of minors; and unlawful contact with minor.

He is incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Feb. 1 before Kissner.