Bucks County candy shop owner offered teen worker money and drugs for sex, DA says

RICHLAND TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A Bucks County candy store owner is facing charges after police say he tried to solicit his teenage employees with money and drugs for sexual acts.

Joseph Grossman, 36, owns Poppy's Peanuts in Quakertown Farmer's Market. He has been charged with corruption of minors and promoting prostitution after a female employee came forward with allegations against him.

"He was unrelenting in his pursuit of his victims," said Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn.

Poppy's Peanuts is an old-fashioned store in Quakertown Farmer's Market, which features more than 100 vendors every weekend.

"Largely the clientele is families and children and there are minor children who work for this individual at this establishment," said Schorn.

Police say the investigation started when a 17-year-old girl told her mom about Grossman.

According to a criminal complaint, he "had made offers to a female employee, who was a minor, to provide money and drugs in exchange for sexual acts"

"He was unrelenting in his pursuit of her, both touching her body sexually and pursuing her with sexual advances," said Schorn.

After Richland Township Police arrested Grossman, another victim came forward saying he gave her drugs.

"On one occasion, she said on the closing of the business for the evening, he lit up a pipe and let her ingest the content of the pipe, which smelled like marijuana, but she said it was so potent, it made her feel very dizzy," said Schorn.

Now police are worried there are more victims.

One farmer's market employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she is disturbed about the allegations.

"I was mortified. I try to present my establishment as family safe and great for families to come to," said the employee.

Grossman is out on bail, and several people at the market told us they've seen him at work.

"People have seen him working still and it's just mind-blowing that it can even happen," said an employee.

"I can tell you that would be a violation of his terms of bail if that's the case," said Schorn.

The DA said it's a violation because Grossman is not supposed to have contact with minors and a lot of families come to the farmer's market.