A 33-year-old New Castle man is facing serious charges after police say he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old boy inside his apartment building on March 9, sparking an active investigation and deep concern in the community.
Authorities identified the suspect as Floyd Tamanta Booker. New Castle police say the case was turned over to prosecutors after weeks of investigative work and that the allegation, involving a minor, remains a top priority for the department.
Charges And Police Timeline
According to New Castle News, officers launched their investigation following an alleged March 9 encounter inside Booker’s apartment building. After gathering evidence and interviewing those involved, police filed charges on April 22.
Investigators say Booker is accused of attempting to rape the 13-year-old boy during that incident. Police reported that their findings were forwarded to the Lawrence County district attorney’s office for review and further action, according to the outlet.
Suspect’s Past Run-Ins With Police
Booker is not a stranger to local law enforcement. In 2019, he was arrested after school officials discovered a knife at New Castle High School, according to a KDKA account. KDKA reported that the incident led to charges including possession of weapons on school property and criminal trespassing.
That earlier case drew attention at the time because it unfolded on school grounds, even though no students were in the building when the knife was found.
Legal Status And Next Steps
Officials say the investigation into the alleged March assault is still active, and specific details about Booker’s arraignment, bail, or the exact list of charges have not yet been made public, per New Castle News. New Castle police are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the department as the Lawrence County district attorney continues to review the file.
Pennsylvania law outlines rape and related sexual offenses in the state Crimes Code and provides for felony-level prosecution of those crimes. The full statute text and grading of offenses are available through the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Community leaders and victim-advocacy organizations are urging residents to speak up if they have information or if they or someone they know needs help. Statewide resources and local crisis centers are listed by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, which connects survivors and families with confidential support. New Castle police say they plan to release additional information as the case moves through the justice system.
