Elmo impersonator accused of sexually abusing young boys
43-year-old Pennsylvania man Michael Anthony Cripps charged with sexually assaulting five male victims.
A Pennsylvania man who dressed as Mickey Mouse and Elmo for children’s parties is accused of sexually abusing five boys, officials said.
The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office announced the arrest of Michael Cripps, 43, of Colwyn, Pa. on Monday. Cripps, who was charged with sexually assaulting five male victims.
The allegations date back seven years.
AFTER MULTIPLE TRUCK CRASHES, PENNSYLVANIA CHURCH CLOSES
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said authorities were concerned the allegations were the “tip of the iceberg.”
“Make no mistake, this is a very serious child predator,” Whelan said Monday at a news conference, FOX29 reported.
"He exploits these young boys. He sexually molests these young boys. He ruins these young boys lives," Whelan continued.
Cripps shouted "nope" when asked if he was guilty while he was led from the courthouse.
Whelan said Cripps ran a business, M.C. Parties, where he would dress as characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants. The district attorney said there was no evidence he met any of his victims through his business.
However, Whelan said Cripps targeted single or divorced women with young boys and volunteered to babysit. The alleged assaults took place at 14 addresses in East Lansdowne, Aldan, Lansdowne, Upper Darby, Colwyn and Darby, Philly.com reported. The arrest affidavit stated Cripps lived or resided at 13 addresses in Delaware County, Philadelphia and Chester Counties, from 1998 to 2012, Philly.com reported.
PENNSYLVANIA MAN ADMITS TO PUTTING BLEACH IN PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND’S WATER
Whelan said the first sexual assault allegation made against Cripps was in 2012 but the office was not able to file charges due to a lack of evidence. Cripps was also being prosecuted by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office for a string of robberies.
A child-abuse hotline alleged “four boys, ages 8 to 17, were compelled to sleep in the same bed with Cripps on numerous occasions,” Philly.com reported. Cripps would reportedly become furious if the boys tried to refuse or resist his advances.
On Sept. 18, a male between the ages of 18 and 25 told the district attorney’s office Cripps reportedly sexually assaulted him and his brothers who were ages 8 and 7 at the time, the arrest affidavit stated. Around the same time, detectives were also investigating another sexual assault claim made against Cripps involving a 5-year-old boy. On Oct. 24, detectives interviewed a 17-year-old boy who also accused Cripps of molesting him when he was younger.
Cripps was arrested twice, in 2003 and 2006, for sexual assault but the charges were removed.
Cripps was being held on $250,000 bail at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility and awaits preliminary hearings.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
