Man accused in Greensburg holdup now facing sexual assault charges

A report to a social worker at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh resulted in multiple sexual assault charges being filed this week by state police against a man who is awaiting trial accused in a robbery of a Greensburg convenience store.

Jerome Jamer “Rome” Garrett, 20, of Greensburg, was arraigned on two counts each of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault on a person less than 16-years-old and statutory sexual assault.

Trooper Evan Terek alleges in court documents that Garrett assaulted two girls, then 14 and 15 years old, during a party on Dragon Rouge Road in Hempfield on Sept. 27, 2019. Garrett was released on $25,000 unsecured bond.

Terek reported in court documents that the investigation began after one of the victims, who was then 15 years old, disclosed information about the sexual assaults in an interview to a hospital social worker about two weeks after the party.

According to court documents, the alleged assaults took place in the basement of the residence.

Terek reported in court documents he later interviewed Garrett who admitted having sex with both teenagers.

“(Garrett) confirmed he had been in a relationship with (the 14-year-old) since July 2019. He said he knew she was 14 and too young to have a sexual relationship,” Terek said in court documents.

Terek said Garrett also admitted he had sex with the 15-year-old girl at the same party.

Garrett has been awaiting trial since his arrest by Greensburg Police as a suspect in a Jan. 30 robbery at the Sheetz convenience store on Harvey Ave.

Police charged Tywone McClain Jr., 21, also of Greensburg, and Garrett in connection with the robbery. Police said four men entered the store around 6:15 p.m. when McClain allegedly demanded money from the cashier.

Police said McClain told the clerk he had a gun and would shoot if he was not given the cash. However, police said he did not show a firearm.

Garrett was apprehended within 24 hours of the robbery. McClain, who has also lived in the New Kensington area, was arrested Feb. 6 in Duquesne.

The two other men with Garrett and McClain were not charged.

Garrett’s trial is slated for Dec. 7, according to online court dockets. Garrett’s attorney in the robbery case, John Hauser, could not be reached for comment.