HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane’s office today announced the arrest of a Pittsburgh man charged with sexually assaulting two underage girls as he represented himself to both alleged victims as a police officer.
Cyrus Sam Sukhadia, 23, 551 Larose St., Apt. 7, was arrested Wednesday by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section. The investigation that led to Sukhadia’s arrest was initiated following a referral from the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
According to the criminal complaint, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police uncovered potential unlawful conduct between Sukhadia and two minor females after lawfully seizing his cell phone during an unrelated investigation.
Agents with the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section initiated an investigation in September and interviewed both minors. Further investigation revealed Sukhadia had allegedly engaged in unlawful sexual contact with both girls when they were 15 years old. The alleged sexual contact occurred between July and October 2014.
It was also determined that Sukhadia, a former recruit for the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, identified himself as a police officer to both alleged victims. He showed the alleged victims items that included a police uniform, a handgun, a gun belt and handcuffs, the criminal complaint states.
Sukhadia is charged with two counts each of unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault and criminal use of a communication facility.
He was released from custody after bail was set at $75,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Dec. 29.
Attorney General Kane thanked the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for its assistance with the investigation.
Sukhadia will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney Chuck E. Washburn of the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.
Reporting Child Predators
Suspected child predators can be reported to the Office of Attorney General by calling the Child Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Individuals who suspect an online predator or child sexual abuse can also send an anonymous tip to the office by texting PAKIDS + YOUR TIP to 847411.
