Crime & Safety

Charges Against Rape Suspect Dismissed

Magistrate ruled there was not enough evidence against Christopher Pancari.

A district magistrate dismissed all rape and assault charges against a Scott Township man .

dismissed all 11 charges against Christopher Pancari during his preliminary hearing on Aug. 11. Pancari, 43, was charged on July 27 with two counts each of rape, aggravated indecent assault, attempted rape, indecent assault and one count each of endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors.

had accused Pancari of fondling and attempting to have sex with a teenage girl over a three-year period. The teenage girl, who is now 18, testified during the preliminary hearing, but it apparently was not enough for the charges to be bound over to court.

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Pancari’s attorney, William Difenderfer, is out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Scott police Chief James Secreet said he was surprised the charges were dismissed at the district court level. However, investigators are discussing with the district attorney’s office whether to refile charges against Pancari.

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Child endangerment charges against Pancari’s girlfriend, Leanne Berarducci, 40, of Scott, were also dropped.


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