EAST WASHINGTON, Pa. — A candidate running for East Washington borough council in November has been arrested and charged with several counts related to sexual contact with an underage boy, according to reports. Anthony J. Dinch, 28, was arraigned Friday on nine charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age, unlawful contact with a minor — sexual offenses, and indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age. A criminal complaint against Dinch alleged the incidents occurred in November 2022 and May 2023. Dinch knew the child — who was 14 when the first incident allegedly happened — for about nine years, according to the complaint. The complaint said that the victim stayed overnight with Dinch at his apartment approximately 25 times over the course of several years. “Dinch would provide alcohol to ‘John Doe’ during these overnights and ‘John Doe’ stated it was common for Dinch to walk around shirtless in his shorts or boxers,” the criminal complaint alleged. “‘John Doe’ stated he and Dinch would frequently sleep in the same bed.” In May of 2023, when Dinch was allegedly perpetrating these crimes, he was also running for mayor of East Washington in the Republican primary. Dinch lost that race, but an apparent write-in bid for a borough council seat was successful and propelled him to the general election.