The owner of a candy shop at Quakertown Farmers Market is accused of soliciting a sex act from a teenage employee, according to authorities.
Joseph Grossman, 36, of Warminster, owner of Poppy’s Peanuts, made inappropriate comments to the girl, 17, and when she quit, he offered her drugs and money to perform a sex act on him, Bucks County District Attorney Jen Schorn said.
The DA’s office said Thursday that a second victim came forward, and given the similarities between their accounts, there might be more victims.
Grossman’s attorney, Thomas M. Joachim, said Grossman adamantly denies the allegations, and looks forward to asserting his innocence at trial.
Richland Township police received a report in June that Grossman offered to provide money and drugs to the girl, 17, in exchange for sexual acts, according to authorities. She said Grossman would often make inappropriate comments, and made a habit of touching her legs and back, leading her to quit, court documents allege.
After she quit, Grossman continued to contact her using the messaging application SnapChat, police said. She went to the shop later, after business hours, and he asked her how long it would be until she turned 18, authorities said. He then offered her drugs and money for a sexual act according to police.
When an officer went to the store to talk to him about the incident, he told the officer to leave and to speak to his lawyer, court documents state.
Another girl, also 17, reported to police in August that Grossman would make sexual comments to her, and would grab her regularly while she worked, according to authorities. She would deny his advances, but he persisted, police said. He did not give the girl drugs or money in exchange for a sexual act, but did give her marijuana on multiple occasions, according to charging documents.
Grossman remains free on bail, charged with promoting prostitution of a minor and two felony counts of corruption of minors, as well as two misdemeanor offenses of corruption of minors.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Richland Township police at 215-536-9500.
