City Man Molested Boys, 11, 12, Police Say

By Tom Coombe

Bethlehem police say a city man molested boys while staying with their mother to help care for another child with cancer.

Joshua Luis Roman, 22, is charged with multiple sex crimes relating to incidents that happened in December 2013 at a home on E. Fourth Street.

According to court records, the investigation began when a woman told police Roman had molested her sons, ages 11 and 12, while he was staying at her home.

She had asked Roman for help in caring for another child, a 6-year-old who had been diagnosed with cancer.

The 11-year-old told police Roman had made him perform oral sex and had touched his anus, court records say.

Police say the older boy told investigators Roman had kissed his neck and then threatened him: "If you tell anyone. I'll break every bone in your body."

When interviewed by police, Roman allegedly gave a written statement admitting to molesting the 11-year-old.

He was charged Wednesday with three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, three counts of aggravated indecent assault, two counts of indecent assault, as well as corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of a child.

Roman was arraigned before on-duty District Judge Jackie Taschner in Palmer Township and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.