— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Two men have been charged in a rape investigation involving a teenage girl in Slatington.
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Slatington Acting Police Chief William Borst said Tristan Richard Zawick, 22, of Whitehall Township, and Jacquan Tenasse, 18, of Slatington, were charged with multiple offenses from an incident Friday.
Zawick is in Lehigh County Prison, with bail set at $400,000, and an arrest warrant has been issued for Tenasse, the joint statement said.
The teenage accuser — who was not identified — said she was bound, choked and assaulted, according to the statement from law enforcement.
Here are the facts, from Holihan and Borst:
Feb. 8, 2025
District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Slatington Acting Police Chief William Borst announce charges against two men in an ongoing rape investigation.
Tristan Richard Zawick, DOB 1/20/2003, of Whitehall, is charged with Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse and Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Rape, felonies of the first degree; Sexual Assault, a felony of the second degree; and a misdemeanor charge of Indecent Assault.
Zawick was arraigned this morning and is in Lehigh County Jail under $400,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 13, 2025.
Jacquan Tenasse, DOB 07/27/2006, of Slatington, is charged with Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, and Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Rape, felonies of the first degree; Strangulation, Sexual Assault, and Unlawful Restraint felonies of the second degree; and a misdemeanor charge of Indecent Assault.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Tenasse.
This investigation remains ongoing.
Just before 7 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2025, police were called to a home in the 200 block of Walnut Street in Slatington.
A female teen whose name and exact age will not be released was located in the basement of the home.
The victim told police she had been raped by Zawick and Tenasse.
The victim told police the two men raped her, physically restrained her, and wrapped a cord around her wrists. She also told police that Tenasse choked her during the assault. Zawick was detained at the Walnut Street residence. Tenasse was not present when the police arrived.
This case is being investigated by Lehigh County District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit Detective Thomas Galloway and the Slatington Police Department and will be prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara Moyer and Senior Deputy District Attorney Sarah K. Heimbach.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed is
merely an accusation; and the accused, Tristan Richard Zawick, and Jacquan Tenasse are
presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 