A man from a suburban area near Philadelphia faces serious allegations of drugging multiple women and a teenage girl he encountered on a dating platform, leading to sexual assaults at his residence while they were under the influence, according to officials.
On Wednesday, Andrew Gallo from Levittown, Pennsylvania, was taken into custody, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
“This is a young woman’s worst nightmare,” Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn stated during a press conference on Wednesday where the charges were revealed. Authorities discovered an individual in distress during a recent search warrant execution at Gallo’s residence, according to her statement.
Authorities reported that the individuals making accusations, aged between 17 and 30, encountered Gallo on the platform sugardaddymeet.com, where he went by the username DREWSTER420. One of the individuals making allegations also stated that he went by the name KAE. The site promotes itself as “a space for kind-hearted individuals and appealing partners seeking genuine connections.” Users under the age of 18 are not permitted according to the site’s terms of service.
Gallo, 40, reportedly set up meetings with them following their encounters on the platform. Schorn stated that Gallo took deliberate steps to ensure those gatherings took place at his residence, where he would secretly conceal harmful substances in the alcoholic beverages he provided, resulting in such severe impairment that the individuals were incapable of giving consent for any actions, including sexual activities. They reported experiencing a sense of powerlessness during the claimed incidents.
According to Schorn, lab results indicated the presence of methamphetamine and additional substances in their systems. Individuals who brought forth allegations, with some requiring medical assistance, described experiencing symptoms like hallucinations and psychosis. Some reported staying awake for extended periods, with one individual claiming she couldn’t sleep for a full week, Schorn noted.
According to Schorn, Gallo is accused of raping five of his six accusers and committing both sexual and physical assaults against all of them.
“He applied such intensity in suffocating his victims that some became unconscious,” Schorn remarked, further noting that Gallo “systematically executed what were evidently premeditated offenses solely to fulfill his perverse sexual urges.”
During his arraignment on Wednesday, Gallo was informed of the charges against him but chose not to enter a plea, according to a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office on Thursday. Magisterial District Judge Terrence Hughes established the bail and directed him to Bucks County Correctional Facility. His legal representation status remains uncertain. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 24.
At the time of the alleged incidents, two of the individuals making accusations resided in New Jersey, while the remaining four were located in Pennsylvania. According to the criminal complaint and the district attorney’s office, everyone reported experiencing unusual sensations after drinking the beverages.
Last month, a search at Gallo’s residence yielded various items, including a bottle of tequila, which have been sent for forensic analysis, as reported by the district attorney’s office. According to Schorn, the tequila has been found to contain methamphetamine.
Gallo faces serious allegations, including multiple counts of rape by causing impairment, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, strangulation, selling or furnishing alcohol to minors, and corruption of minors.
It is claimed that the attacks took place throughout a span of twelve months.
“The individuals affected in this situation demonstrate remarkable bravery,” Schorn stated during the press briefing. “Those who stepped up to share their experiences have shown remarkable bravery, defying the expectations of those who prey on the vulnerable. I truly admire their strength and courage.”
Officials suspect additional victims may exist and are urging anyone who thinks they might be affected to step forward.
Source: NBC News on Yahoo! News