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Fort Drum Soldier Faces Child Sex Abuse Charges In Pennsylvania

By Diane Rutherford

Story Published: Aug 29, 2011 at 3:23 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 29, 2011 at 6:41 PM EDT

A Fort Drum soldier is accused of sexually abusing a three year old girl in Pennsylvania.

State police arrested 38 year old Richard Lafayette on a warrant from Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

He appeared in Jefferson County Court Monday afternoon and waived extradition to Pennsylvania.

According to Williamsport police, Lafayette struck up a relationship with 23 year old Samantha Mathers of Williamsport while he was stationed in Afghanistan.

According to police, the two chatted online about allowing him to have sex with Mathers' three year old daughter.

The explicit conversations allegedly took place between August 20, 2010 and April 29, 2011.

When Lafayette returned to the United States in March 2011, police said he visited Mathers during his leave from Fort Drum.

During the first visit in April, police said Lafayette sexually abused the child and her mother allowed it.

Mathers married Lafayette on June 30, 2011, according to police.

Williamsport police arrested Mathers, who's now in jail facing felony charges.

Lafayette faces the following charges in Pennsylvania:

- criminal solicitation
- criminal conspiracy
- criminal attempt
- indecent assault
- unlawful contact with a minor
- corruption of minors

Police said family members have taken custody of the child.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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