AVOCA — A woman from Avoca was brought before a judge on Thursday for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl last year.
Winnie Jamila Woodward, 33, of McAlpine Street, appeared in front of District Judge Alexandra Kokura Kravitz of Pittston on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of minors, selling or giving alcohol to a minor and indecent assault. Woodward was allowed to go home after posting $150,000 unsecured bail.
Police issued an arrest warrant for Woodward on April 18.
Woodward was charged by Avoca police after looking into the girl's claims of being sexually assaulted on Aug. 6, 2023. Authorities were alerted to the alleged sexual assault when the girl was taken to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Plains Township where forensic evidence was collected.
The girl was interviewed by a forensic examiner at the Luzerne County Children’s Advocacy Center where she provided specific information about the sexual assault, including Woodward providing her with alcohol and marijuana, according to the criminal complaint.
In the criminal complaint, authorities state that DNA collected from Woodward matched the DNA profile found on the girl at the hospital.
