JERSEY SHORE - All criminal charges against William Edward Hohman have been dropped after authorities began to have concerns about the credibility of the victim's allegations, according to District Attorney Eric R. Linhardt.
Hohman, 47, of 305 Smith St., was arrested on June 12 on charges of allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl after he lured her into his home, asking her to stay with his dog as he carried groceries into the house.
Tiadaghton Valley Regional police charged Hohman with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and related offenses. He was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $125,000 following arraignment before District James H. Sortman.
An ongoing investigation into the alleged assault "began to raise questions about the credibility and reliability of the victim's allegation," Linhardt said Wednesday in a prepared statement. Shortly after investigators "followed up on some additional information, we moved to withdraw all charges," Linhardt said.
"Our office has no interest in prosecuting cases where there is a reasonable possibility that a defendant may be innocent; such was the case with regard to Mr. Hohman," Linhardt said.
