A Maryland man charged with raping a 14-year-old Manheim Township girl will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing. 

Jason Alex Candelaria, of Darlington, Md., waived his preliminary hearing before Judge Courtney Monson on July 6 on 11 different offenses including rape by forcible compulsion, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 16 years of age, sexual assault and two counts of aggravated indecent assault, among other charges.

Candelaria, 35, is accused of raping and sexually assaulting the victim at her residence in September 2025.

The victim told police that Candelaria, posing as a teenage boy from a neighboring high school, contacted her on social media and arranged to meet her. 

When the victim let Candelaria into her home he began pressuring her into performing sexual acts and having sex despite her repeatedly saying no. Candelaria then forcibly removed the victim’s clothes and raped her, she said.

After raping the victim Candelaria gave her a “plan B” pill and left her residence, the victim told law enforcement. 

Police began investigating Candelaria in May 2026 when the FBI, who had searched his cell phone for an unrelated investigation, discovered a video of the victim performing sexual acts on him. The victim told the FBI that the video was taken without her knowledge or permission. 

Candelaria remains in Lancaster County Prison without bail.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Jeremy Musser filed the charges.

Assistant District Attorney Samantha Tropp will prosecute the case.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.