A State College man is charged with groping a train passenger during an Amtrak ride in Lancaster County.

Edward M. Robert was arraigned Friday on misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and delaying a train operation and a summary count of harassment.

Amtrak police charged the 56-year-old Robert regarding an Oct. 13, 2019, incident aboard an Amtrak.

Robert and the male victim were passengers sitting next to each other on the Amtrak, when Robert put his hand down the victim pants as he was sleeping.

The victim woke up, confronted the man, then reported the assault, prompting Amtrak staff to do a sweep of the train. An assistant conductor found Robert slumped down in a seat in an attempt to hide.

Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick approved the charges, filed by Amtrak police Officer Andrew Shahade.

Robert is presumed innocent.

The incident and investigation caused a 12-minute delay to the passenger train schedule, which is the reason for the misdemeanor charge, according to ADA Haverstick.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright