Comedian charged with aggravated indecent assault over 2004 Case

December 30, 2015 6:14 PM

Prosecutors have charged Cosby with aggravated indecent assault, a first-degree felony, in the investigation of an alleged sexual assault case which has been hanging since 2004.

American comedian, Bill Cosby, is finally going to be answering for the numerous sexual assault allegations leveled against him.

Read: Comedian sues seven of his accusers for defamation

Following the revelation of this new information via a press release sent out today, December 30, this is actually the first time Cosby will be facing any criminal charges based on the allegations leveled against him in the last two years.

The press statement released on the prosecution read:

“We are here to announce today charges that have just been filed against William Henry Cosby," First Assistant District Attorney, Kevin Steele read to the press. "These charges stem from a sexual assault that took place at Mr. Cosby’s home. … He is expected to be arraigned later this afternoon."

The case stems from the accusations of a former employee of the Temple University, Andrea Constand, who had revealed to the police that the 78-yr-old comic actor had drugged and raped her in Philadelphia, back in 2004.

Buzzfeed reports that Constand had told Canadian authorities that the comedian had drugged her with “herbal pills” then “touched her breasts and vaginal area, rubbed his penis against her hand, and digitally penetrated her,”Going by ABC news reports in 2005.

The case had according to reports been denied by a district attorney in 2005, but had later been reopened this summer after more incriminating testimony had been revealed in a related civil lawsuit involving a host of other women.

They had spoken up, accusing Cosby of drugging and assaulting them on different occasions.

ADA Steele had further revealed that the District Attorney's office would be seeking "justice on behalf of the victim," adding that, "Reopening the case was not a question, rather, reopening this case was our duty."

The press release also described the incident thus:

"The victim lay down on the couch, and Cosby positioned himself behind her. Cosby then fondled the victim’s breasts, put his hands inside her pants, and penetrated her vagina with his fingers. During the assault, Cosby also put her hand on his erect penis. The victim did not consent to any of these acts and reported that she was unable to moveor speak and felt “frozen” and “paralyzed.”

Read: California court delays comedian's deposition by former model

Before now, Cosby had his lawyers deny the claims, while he had filed a defamation suit against the victims, accusing them of trying to tarnish his image.

The statute of limitations for aggravated indecent assault in the State of Pennsylvania is 12 years, which had given prosecutors until January 2016 to file charges.

Stay with us for new development on Cosby's arraignment.

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