A suspected serial sex predator has been arrested in connection with a sexual assault at the Valley of Fear Halloween attraction in Lower Southampton Township, according to prosecutors. The suspect is accused of physically and sexually assaulting at least one person at the seasonal haunted attraction, a case now drawing a formal response from county officials.
Officials Set Tuesday News Conference
Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan, along with police and other officials, were expected to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday to share more details about the charges, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. The outlet reported that it planned to stream the news conference live and would update its story as more details become available.
The attraction has drawn scrutiny before. A year earlier, on October 25, 2025, Lower Southampton police were dispatched to Valley of Fear at approximately 11:27 p.m. for a reported possible sexual assault, according to Lower Bucks Source. In that incident, security held an 18-year-old male later identified by police as Bristol resident Zachary Zinelli, with the reported victim described as a 14-year-old girl, the outlet reported.
Earlier Case Led To Mail Summons
Zinelli was charged by mail summons with indecent assault and harassment and was scheduled to appear in court on November 19, 2025, per the same account.
Separately, Lower Southampton police opened an investigation in September after receiving a report of a possible sexual assault involving a child under 10, according to PhillyBurbs. That investigation named Derek Burket, 37, who was accused of showing a child his penis earlier in the year, according to a probable-cause affidavit cited by the outlet. Burket was arraigned on felony charges of corruption of minors and indecent assault on Oct. 19 and was released after posting $75,000 bail, PhillyBurbs reported.
What was actually announced at Tuesday's news conference, including any charging details, docket information or the full scope of alleged victims, had not been confirmed in available reporting at publication. NBC10 Philadelphia said it would update its coverage as more information becomes available.
