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Amanly Voice has reported that the Darby Township commissioner was arrested for sexual assault. Marvin Smith represents Darby Township's First Ward, and his office is located at 21 N Bartram Ave, Glenolden, PA 19036.
The 50-year-old commissioner has been accused of luring a 15-year-old boy into his car on August 12, 2017. The boy reported the incident in April 2019. The victim alleged that he was walking down the road when Smith approached him in his car, identifying himself as a friend of the family. The boy accepted the ride only to be taken to a park located at 200 S. 63rd Street. At that time, Smith exposed himself to the child and sexually assaulted him. Smith then drove to another location and let the boy out of the vehicle.
The investigation took two years before Smith was arrested on Tuesday, December 25, 2021, after a warrant was issued on November 22, 2021. He has been charged with rape, statutory sexual assault, luring a child into a motor vehicle, among other offenses. Smith also served as the Township's police commissioner but was removed in September 2020 following an inappropriate post he made on Facebook.
Attorney contributor Guy D'Andrea is an experienced sexual assault lawyer who helps sex abuse victims and their families file a civil lawsuit for sexual assault. Recently Brian shared his thoughts on filing a sex abuse lawsuit for abuse by a government official, such as a commissioner.
"Government officials not only hold a position of power but are trusted professionals that people do not expect to violate their trust, especially by committing sexual assault. While most commissioners are indeed trustworthy people, lately, there have been cases of government officials using their positions to exploit victims."
"When a person of authority, such as a commissioner, is charged with sexual assault, the victims should report the abuse to law enforcement. This will instigate a criminal investigation, which is an essential first step. However, there are some cases where victims may have grounds to file a sexual assault civil lawsuit. If the agency that employed the official failed to implement certain safety precautions, such as background checks, they might be held liable for the abuse based on negligence. Additionally, if the perpetrator had a history of misconduct yet the government agency allowed him to remain in their position, this negligence could be held against them in a civil court."
"Filing a civil lawsuit for sexual assault can be confusing, but by hiring an experienced sexual assault lawyer, victims and their families can learn the legal options specific to their situation."
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