Salem man found guilty of sexual assault of 18-year-old

A Salem man convicted of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman “denied her of her voice” during the crime, according to Assistant District Attorney Judi Petrush.

Petrush urged a Westmoreland County jury to “listen to her voice” by finding Zachary Saflin, 23, guilty on all charges.

The jury nearly fulfilled Petrush’s request — finding Saflin guilty on two counts of aggravated indecent assault, false imprisonment, indecent assault and providing alcohol to minors during his trial that concluded on Thursday. Jurors acquitted Saflin on the most serious charge, attempted rape.

The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred at an outdoor party in Ligonier Township in May 2020. Prosecutors said Saflin attempted to have sex with the woman on multiple occasions despite her refusal.

The women, who is now 20, testified during the three-day trial, as did her friend, who also attended the party.

In her closing argument, Petrush stressed that the woman’s testimony was “consistent” and her friend’s testimony corroborated her account.

Defense attorney Brian Aston called into question the credibility of the woman and her friend, who were both intoxicated during the party. He also claimed there were discrepancies and inaccuracies in the police report of the incident.

“There’s too many inconsistencies here,” Aston said. “The evidence is not sufficient to support any of these offenses.”

The jury deliberated for about three hours on Thursday before reaching a verdict.

After the verdict was read, Petrush asked Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio to revoke Saflin’s bail and detain him pending his sentencing, citing felony charges that Saflin faced after the May 2020 incident.

Bilik-DeFazio granted the request.