Decorated double amputee former Marine, 36, is charged with heinous act on 13-year-old girl
Brandon Rumbaugh, 34, was charged on Tuesday for the vile acts he allegedly committed while the victim slept over at his home in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania.
Police launched an investigation into the sickening claims on May 5 after receiving a report from a child protective agency.
The girl told cops Rumbaugh, a well known motivational speaker, is family friend who she has known since she was 10.
When she turned 11 or 12, the father-of-two allegedly started contacting her over the phone.
The abuse began when she turned 13 and started staying over at his house, where he gave her alcohol and forced her into sex, she told detectives.
She reportedly stayed at Rumbaugh's home three times in April. He did not attack her the first night, she said. They went to the gym and watched military movies.
But he allegedly raped her twice each night the second and third times she stayed at his house.
He once gave her alcoholic iced tea before he assaulted her, she claims. Describing how the liquor affected her, she said 'she didn't feel like herself,' the criminal complaint reads.
She also slept in the same bed as the accused predator on one occasion, with another person sleeping across the hall, police said.
Rumbaugh had tried to scare her into silence, allegedly telling her to 'to keep this a secret until she was eighteen years old'.
The former marine is now facing a slew of charges including rape, statutory sexual assault and furnishing alcohol to minors.
He was arrested and is being held in jail without bond. Rumbaugh is due in court on Wednesday.
His Pittsburgh-area community members are now grappling with the shocking news after he was for years treated as a hero for his military service.
Uniontown resident Jenn Smith told CBS: 'He's supposed to be a positive person for this community and now this is coming out.'
She added: 'It teaches us we need to be a little more careful with our babies.'
Another woman said on Facebook: 'Hopefully he gets what he deserves for something so horrible.'
She added: 'We need to protect our children and send this message that this will not be tolerated.'
'Hey just wanted to pop by and say I hope you go to prison forever. Best of luck,' someone commented under one of Rumbaugh's Instagram posts.
Rumbaugh lost both his legs after stepping on a landmine while carrying another Marine to safety in 2009.
'I had to learn to be independent at 21 years old, starting a whole new life without either of my legs,' he told The Daily Nebraskan in 2018.
'My life wasn't over, but I had to find a new path.' He went on to become a motivational speaker and the CEO of Action Conquers Terror.
Aside from being celebrated on multiple occasions, he was recognized by the US Marines with a Commendation Medal for valor.
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