- Northern New York Newspapers
- Watertown Daily Times
- The Journal
- Daily Courier-Observer
- NNY Ads
- NNY Business
- NNY Living
- Malone Telegram
CANTON A Massena man was indicted Thursday by a St. Lawrence County grand jury for allegedly sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman.
James M. Roshia Jr., 34, of 11 Cedar St., was indicted on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.
The alleged incident occurred May 1 at Roshias game shop, Time Capsule Games, on East Orvis Street. The 18-year-old girl told police she had been at the store with three other people, two males and a female, shortly before closing when Roshia asked her friends to leave so he could talk to her alone, according to court documents.
She said as soon as her friends left the store, Roshia locked the front door.
According to court documents, she said her efforts to get away from him were unsuccessful and he pulled her into a back room, locked the door and forced her to engage in sex acts over a short period. She said she was able to text her male friend asking for help, documents said.
The alleged victim said she was aware of reports by friends that Roshia previously had made inappropriate comments to other teenage girls at the store.
Her friend reportedly returned to the store and kicked open the front door, and she was able to get away. She said her friend then reported the incident to village police.
Roshia opened Time Capsule Games in mid-November. In addition to selling trading cards, he said he would buy and trade cards and buy, sell and trade video games, consoles and accessories.
His business plan called for the store to close at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays so Time Capsule Games could be converted into a teen activity center from 8 p.m. to midnight on weekend nights with video games, darts, air hockey and nightly karaoke contests, with what he said he hoped would become something for which Time Capsule Games is known: a karaoke wall of fame.
Roshia was arrested May 1 and taken to St. Lawrence County jail where he remains on $50,000 bail or $100,000 bond.