Keith Hanley, 20, of Pennsylvania, has been charged in the alleged sexual assault of a Merrimack teenager. Courtesy photo/Merrimack Police Department

MERRIMACK – Keith Hanley, 20, of Pennsylvania, was taken into custody on April 10 for the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old Merrimack girl.

According to the Merrimack Police Department, Hanley met the victim on Snapchat and had been living with her for a month after the victim’s grandparents purchased a bus ticket for Hanley to come to New Hampshire.

On March 30, police received a call for a welfare check on the girl. At the time, she reportedly told detectives that Hanley had taken videos and pictures of her to make his former girlfriend jealous. Things allegedly escalated from there, ending with the teenager being raped.

When speaking to police, Hanley claimed that he and the victim were in a romantic relationship and that she consented to having sex with him.

However, the victim reportedly told police that Hanley was holding her down while she begged him to stop.

Hanley has been charged with one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault and was ordered to be held on preventative detention following his arraignment on April 11 in Merrimack District Court. He is scheduled to appear in court again on April 17.

Under state law, if convicted, Hanley could face up to 20 years in prison, being under supervised release for the remainder of his life and a fine of up to $4,000.