Bill Cosby charged with sexual assault stemming from 2004 allegation

Kevin Steele of the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, district attorney’s office, announces the charge against actor Bill Cosby on Wednesday.

Pennsylvania authorities have charged actor Bill Cosby with a felony stemming from allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman at his home in suburban Philadelphia in 2004.

In a press conference Wednesday, Kevin Steele, first assistant district attorney in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, announced that Cosby has been charged with aggravated indecent assault. He was arraigned Wednesday afternoon at a district court in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

Steele said new information came to light in July and authorities reopened the 2004 case. The statue of limitations for this type of case is 12 years. Cheltenham Township Police and Montgomery County detectives and prosecutors examined evidence and information from other alleged victims, and reinterviewed witnesses.

On the night in question, Cosby is alleged to have given the woman, who was associated with the Temple University women’s basketball program, wine and pills that rendered her unable to move, at which time he sexually assaulted her.

This is the first time criminal charges were officially brought against the comedian and sitcom star.

The charge says the accused committed vaginal penetration without the victim’s consent, and the accused knew the victim was unaware and unable to resist.

Cosby previously said under oath that he had sexual contact with the woman but that it was consensual.

Dozens of women have accused Cosby of sexual assault, and earlier this month the comedian counter-sued seven of his accusers.