Prosecutors say a haunted house supervisor and retail manager used his jobs to isolate and assault employees in two counties.
Story Highlights
- Prosecutors charged a Valley of Fear supervisor with assaulting an employee on site.
- A separate arrest tied to a Five Below stockroom incident preceded the haunted house charges.
- The case links multiple alleged assaults to specific dates, places, and victims.
- The district attorney asked other potential victims to contact authorities.
What Prosecutors Allege Happened Across Two Workplaces
Bucks County prosecutors linked an alleged assault at the Valley of Fear attraction in Lower Southampton to a separate alleged assault at a Five Below store days later. Reports state the Valley of Fear incident occurred on or about September 25 or 26, 2026, and the Five Below incident on September 27, 2026. Police arrested the suspect on October 1 in connection with the retail case, then filed additional counts tied to the haunted house incident.
Officials identified the suspect as a supervisor at the Halloween attraction and a manager at Five Below. Prosecutors say those roles gave him access and a way to isolate workers. They allege he approached one employee while she worked alone and cornered a 19-year-old coworker in a store stockroom. The district attorney described a pattern of conduct involving employees under his supervision at both locations.
Specific Charges and Described Conduct at the Haunted Venue
The criminal complaint tied to the Valley of Fear site lists counts including strangulation, simple assault, indecent assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct. News summaries of the complaint say the supervisor grabbed the worker by the throat, pinned her wrists to a wall, and touched her indecently over clothing. These details match the charges filed in Bucks County and the conduct prosecutors say occurred inside the attraction’s workspace.
Media reports also note an allegation involving a minor in a separate incident from December in nearby Springfield Township. The available summaries identify the victim as a 12-year-old girl but do not detail the exact date, location, or evidence behind that charge. Prosecutors presented the case as part of a broader set of complaints, while court proceedings will determine what evidence is allowed and proven.
Retail Case Developments and Reported Statement
Coverage of the Five Below case says the suspect was arrested after a 19-year-old coworker reported a stockroom assault. Reported charges include aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault, with some outlets listing added felonies. One report attributes a confession in the retail case to the suspect; the story does not include the interview recording or legal filings, and courts will assess what is admissible at later stages.
Alleged serial sex predator Joe Khan was charged with assault at a Bucks County, Pennsylvania haunted house. https://t.co/oYODy6eOKG pic.twitter.com/7aqCTA8tGf
— ABC30 Fresno (@ABC30) October 28, 2026
After the retail arrest and the release of a booking photo, the Bucks County district attorney said two more people came forward to report assaults. He urged anyone who recognizes the suspect and believes they were harmed to contact law enforcement. Prosecutors often make such appeals in serial cases to identify additional witnesses and to help investigators confirm timelines across job sites and jurisdictions.
How This Fits a Larger Workplace Problem
The allegations echo a wider issue: many workers who face harassment never report it. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported that about one-third of its 2015 charges included harassment claims, and research it cites shows most people who experience harassment do not file a formal complaint. That gap can let abuse last longer, especially where a boss controls schedules, private areas, and job reviews.
Why People Across the Spectrum Care
Working people expect basic safety on the job, no matter their politics. Parents want teens and young adults to have safe first jobs. Small business owners want clear rules and fast action against bad actors. When a case like this spans two workplaces, it raises hard questions about hiring, supervision, and how quickly complaints move from rumor to police action. Those questions cut across left and right because trust in institutions is already thin.
What Comes Next in Court
The suspect faces separate criminal dockets tied to each location, and prosecutors may coordinate with neighboring departments. Judges will weigh evidence, including any statements, surveillance, and witness accounts. Defense lawyers can challenge identification, timelines, and interviews. A preliminary hearing tests probable cause, not guilt. If a jury is seated, jurors will decide the charges under Pennsylvania law after both sides present their cases.
Safety Steps for Seasonal and Retail Workers
Employees can lower risk by working in pairs when possible, keeping doors propped during stocking, and using radios or phones to call for help fast. Managers should train staff on reporting routes, track shift locations, and limit solo assignments in closed areas. Owners can review camera coverage of hallways and storage rooms and set clear rules on supervisor interactions with younger workers. These simple moves help stop harm before it starts.
Sources:
nypost.com, people.com, abc6onyourside.com, goodmorningamerica.com, phillyburbs.com
