Chester Man Faces Charges in Teen Sexual Offenses Case

Charges Against Chester Man Include Rape and Child Exploitation

A 32-year-old man from Chester has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including rape and related crimes involving several juvenile victims. The charges stem from an 18-month-long investigation that uncovered a pattern of inappropriate behavior and illegal activities.

Justin J. Pate, who resides on the 400 block of East 20th Street, is facing six counts each of creating and possessing child pornography, criminal use of a communication facility, unlawful contact with a minor, and corruption of minors. Additionally, he is charged with single counts of rape by forcible compulsion, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault without consent, aggravated indecent assault by forcible compulsion, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and possessing an instrument of crime with intent.

The defense attorney for Pate has not made any public comments about the case, as it remains under active investigation.

Investigation Begins with a Report of Unusual Behavior

The investigation began on December 19, 2023, when Brookhaven Officer Orabi Youssef was called to a pizzeria on the 3200 block of Edgmont Avenue. At the time, Pate was working as a manager at the establishment. A father of a 16-year-old girl, identified as "Victim #1" in court documents, approached the officer and reported that his daughter had been seen in a suspicious situation with Pate.

According to the affidavit of probable cause written by Brookhaven Detective David Wetten, the father noticed that his daughter’s bedroom light was on late the night before. He found her sleeping, but her phone was still connected in a call to Pate. The father claimed that after checking the call logs from their carrier, they found numerous long conversations between the two throughout 2023, which raised concerns about a potential relationship.

Officer Youssef searched the girl's phone and discovered an explicit photograph of her and Pate, both topless, with Pate squeezing her breast. During an interview, Pate admitted to having sexual intercourse with the girl and stated that their relationship had lasted for a long time, starting when she was 15 years old. He also said that he was aware of her age during the entire period.

However, Victim #1 insisted during her own interview that the relationship only began after she turned 16 and that it was consensual. She declined to participate further in the investigation or prosecution.

Additional Allegations Emerge

As the investigation progressed, law enforcement uncovered more troubling details. A 17-year-old girl, referred to as "Victim #2," came forward with allegations that Pate had provided her with alcohol in exchange for filming herself wearing revealing outfits that he supplied. She claimed to have worked at the pizzeria since April 2023, but Pate had begun treating her differently in the past six months, including touching her back and waist. Eventually, she agreed to film herself for him, and she estimated that she created around 20 videos, which were sent via Snapchat. Seven of these videos were recovered from her phone.

During Victim #2’s interview, she mentioned that there was a rumor at the pizzeria about another former employee, Victim #3, who had allegedly been in a sexual relationship with Pate in the past. Police were able to contact Victim #3, who agreed to speak with investigators on June 26.

Details of a Disturbing Relationship

Victim #3 shared her experience with Pate, stating that she began working at the pizzeria in August 2020 and left in February 2025. She had known Pate before starting her job because her older sister had been friends with him for several years. Pate had even asked the sister if she wanted to work at the pizzeria when he was hiring employees.

She described how Pate started buying her things and giving her rides home, which she initially thought was kind. She looked up to him like an older brother because of their long-standing connection. One night, Pate called her while she was at a friend’s house and invited her to the Delaware Waterfront. He told her he needed to stop at his house on the way and convinced her to come inside for a glass of water.

Once inside, Pate became intoxicated and pushed her down on the floor, raping her. She remembered his handprints on her face afterward. Pate raped her five more times at his residence under similar circumstances between March and September 2021, each time when he was drunk. She could not recall many details due to the trauma.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Pate was arrested on July 24 and is currently being held at the county jail in Concord without bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Andrew Goldberg on August 7.

Brookhaven Police Chief Timothy Habich expressed gratitude to the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the ongoing investigation. Authorities are still seeking additional information and encourage anyone with relevant details to contact Detective Wetten at 610-876-6142 ext. 113.