LANCASTER,Pa.– A New Holland man was ordered Wednesday to face charges in Lancaster County Court regarding a number of indecent exposure incidents in several jurisdictions.
Benjamin R. Grafius, 39, was ordered by Judge Benner to face four felonies and eight misdemeanors in County Court.
Grafius is charged with exposing himself to females, and masturbating, often times stopping his vehicle to engage with the victims or smile at them. At least four of the incidents involved children, bringing the charges to felony level.
Grafius mainly targeted Amish females because he knew couldn’t call police during the 3-month spree of crimes last summer. At least two of the crimes happened at roadside market stands tended by Amish females while another victim was in a horse-drawn buggy.
Grafius said he previously lived on Greenfield Road, close by many Amish and Mennonite communities, before moving to New Holland.
He appeared in District Court Wednesday, with his attorney, to sign paperwork regarding his waiving of the preliminary hearing, according to Assistant District Attorney Andrew LeFever, lead prosecutor.
By waiving the hearing, Grafius doesn’t admit guilt, but concedes there is evidence to support the charges.
Grafius admitted to the conduct, saying, in a police interview, he started a “few years” ago after a relationship ended. He admitted to targeting Amish and Mennonite victims because they were an “easy target,” who wouldn’t call police.
He is free on $50,000 unsecured bail.