US Court OK's Sex
Offender To Visit Costa Rica
By Rich
Cholodofsky, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
A former assistant high school swimming
coach, who faces up to 20 years in prison if
he is convicted of sexually assaulting a
teen girl on his team, will be allowed to
work at an animal shelter in Costa Rica
before his trial.
Westmoreland County Judge John Blahovec gave
permission for Raymond Novak, 30, of Upper
Burrell to take a 13-day trip to Costa Rica
next month.
Novak was charged last summer in connection
with allegations that he had sexual
relations with a 15-year-old girl who was a
member of the Burrell High School swim team.
If he is found guilty of those charges, he
faces a mandatory sentence of 10 to 20 years
in prison.
Novak asked Blahovec to change the
conditions of his bail so he could go on the
trip to work as a volunteer at an animal
shelter with his girlfriend.
During a hearing Wednesday, Blahovec
expressed reluctance about granting the
request.
"I can see where the commonwealth would be a
little nervous about someone going to Costa
Rica. That's a big Wheel of Fortune
destination," Blahovec said. He noted that
Novak could easily volunteer at a local
animal shelter.
Novak said that he volunteers at a local
shelter and the trip had been planned and
paid for before his arrest. He claimed he
had no plans to flee prosecution and if that
been his objective, he would not have posted
his trip details on an Internet social
networking page.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Dupilka
at first opposed the trip, but she suggested
a compromise that was approved by the judge
Friday.
Dupilka asked that Novak post a $30,000 bond
before he is allowed the leave the country.
He has posted the cash bond.
Novak was arrested in August and charged
with having at least three sexual contacts
with the teen in December 2008 and February
and March 2009.
At a preliminary hearing in October, the
teenager testified she had consensual sexual
relations with Novak.
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