MIDDLEBURG – NorthcentralPA.com is reporting… A 45-year-old Middleburg man was charged after a teenage girl reported he allegedly groped her and restrained her in his office. Donald “Pete” Franklin Grove now faces a felony unlawful restraint of a minor and misdemeanor indecent assault charge.
The 17-year-old girl told Middleburg Police she started working at Wood-Mode on June 3 and was supervised by Grove. Several days into the job, Grove allegedly groped her, according to Officer Nathan Fisher. The girl went into Grove’s office to talk about an issue she was having.
Grove reportedly began staring at her without making eye contact and made her uncomfortable. Grove told her he wanted to get a co-worker or supervisor with better knowledge of the issue at hand.
The girl went to leave the room since she felt uncomfortable, and that’s when Grove groped her and restrained her from leaving, according to the affidavit. After this incident, Grove allegedly brushed up against her every day after lunch, making her feel uncomfortable.
Grove also would place his hand on her back sometimes when talking with her. Police filed charges at the office of District Judge Bo Trawitz, as well as summary harassment. Trawitz set bail at $15,000 unsecured. Grove’s preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 14.