SEWARD MAN PASSES THREE CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT

A Seward man entered a guilty plea yesterday in Westmoreland District Court to attempted sexual assault of a girl.

Anthony Ronald Laughard, 43, pleaded guilty to unlawful contact with a minor for the purpose of a sexual offence, attempted rape of a child and criminal use of a communications device. A charge of attempted involuntary sexual intercourse and a second charge of unlawful contact with a minor were not prosecuted. Police said Laughard contacted an undercover officer he believed was the mother of a 12-year-old girl and agreed to pay $350 for a sexual encounter. He was arrested in North Huntingdon Township as part of a raid organized by police.

Westmoreland County Judge Meghan Billik-Defazio said he will be sentenced in about three months. He remains free on $250,000 bail.