Pittsburgh-area war hero heading to trial on child rape accusations

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — A Pittsburgh-area war hero’s rape case is going to trial.

Brandon Rumbaugh, a decorated Marine veteran, today waived his preliminary hearing in the case that accuses him of raping a 13-year-old girl multiple times in his Pleasant Hill home.

>>> Pittsburgh-area war hero accused of raping 13-year-old girl <<<

Rumbaugh is a double amputee who lost both of his legs after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan.

Defense Attorney David Shrager told Channel 11 — he and Rumbaugh decided to waive his preliminary hearing, meaning his case will go to a higher court.

“He’s entitled to his day in court, and I would be asking that if he didn’t serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. If he didn’t save a marine who was injured by an IED, if he didn’t become a double amputee saving that marine being blown up by an IED,” Shrager said.

Three of his charges were withdrawn, but Rumbaugh is still facing a rape charge.

The case will proceed to Rumbaugh’s formal arraignment, which is scheduled for Aug. 7.

He is facing multiple charges, including rape of a substantially impaired person and statutory sexual assault.

According to Allegheny County police, the young girl told investigators she and Rumbaugh began communicating on her phone when she was 11 or 12 years old.

She allegedly told police she slept at his home three separate times.

The first time she did, they went to the gym and watched military movies. The two other times, the girl told detectives she and Rumbaugh had sex.

>>> Pittsburgh-area war hero accused of raping teenage girl denied bond <<<

The girl also noted Rumbaugh didn’t have legs, and that on one of the nights, there was another person sleeping in the room while Rumbaugh allegedly sexually assaulted her.

According to detectives, Rumbaugh told the victim to keep this a secret until she was 18 years old.

Police say there is surveillance video of Rumbaugh and the girl in a Sheetz, where you see Rumbaugh purchasing alcohol.

A judge denied Rumbaugh bond on May 28.

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