A 23-year-old Butler man was placed at Butler County Prison on $75,000 bail after a girl accused him of raping her more than 100 times over roughly five years, starting when she was just 9 years old. Joshua Driskell was charged Thursday with rape of a child, involuntary sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault, indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age, corruption of minors, and indecent exposure, according to Butler Radio Network.
According to ButlerRadio.com, the victim reported the alleged rapes in May 2025, telling investigators the abuse began when Driskell was 15 years old, per charging documents. The alleged assaults took place in Butler City, with the girl accusing Driskell of raping her at her own home, at a family member's home, and inside a family camper, the station reports.
The station's report states Driskell is accused of forcing himself onto the child repeatedly over the five-year span, allegations that remain unproven pending further court proceedings. Driskell is now 23, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 28.
What the Charges Could Mean Under Pennsylvania Law
The charges Driskell faces carry some of the harshest penalties in Pennsylvania's criminal code. Rape of a Child is a first-degree felony carrying a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison, according to DiCindio Law, while Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child carries a mandatory minimum of five years in state prison.
Corruption of Minors involving sexual conduct is graded as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, according to the Zuckerman Law Firm. A conviction on the rape or involuntary deviate sexual intercourse charges would also trigger mandatory Tier III lifetime registration on Pennsylvania's sex offender registry under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act, as explained by Goldstein Mehta LLC.
Why Charges Can Still Be Filed Years Later
The charges were filed in 2026 over abuse alleged to have begun when the victim was 9 years old.
Child abuse cases in Pennsylvania can begin through the state's ChildLine reporting system. Mandated reporters are among those who generate suspected abuse referrals statewide.
Preliminary Hearing Set for Next Week
The September 28 preliminary hearing remains scheduled.
Driskell was placed at Butler County Prison.
