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WARREN -- A Niles man who turned himself in to authorities after he learned he was named in a secret indictment was arraigned on charges linked to the sexual assault of two teen girls.
Joseph J. Norris II, 34, Oak Knoll Street, pleaded not guilty Thursday before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Ronald J. Rice on four counts of gross sexual imposition.
Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman said the allegations involve inappropriate touching of two female victims, one 15 and the other a 14-year-old. The incidents occurred during the spring, summer and fall of 2022, the indictment states, with one count specifically mentioning an incident on July 3, 2022.
Rice set Norris' bond at $10,000. If he makes the bond, the judge said the defendant is not allowed to have contact with either victim or any other child under age 18 who is not accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The case is set for a pretrial hearing at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday before Judge Sean O'Brien.