PITTSBURGH — The FBI is looking for information that may help identify more victims of a Penn Township businessman accused of sexually assaulting teenaged boys.

At the same time, defendant James M. Leroy, 54, of Beacon Road is denying the accusations that already have been waged.

“This is completely out of the character of Mr. Leroy,” said his defense attorney, Steven Townsend of Pittsburgh. “When we get into court, the boys’ motives will become clear.”

Leroy, who’s detained at the North East Ohio Correction Center in Ohio, faces charges filed in Butler County Court alleging he assaulted four boys.

Additionally, he was indicted by a federal grand jury because he allegedly, on two separate occasions, traveled out of state with minors with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

According to court records in the county case, the victims allege Leroy assaulted them and then gave them varying gifts including cash, clothes, video games and a dirt bike.

Court records allege the boys came into contact with Leroy through relatives and his business, Jimi Enterprises on Pittsburgh Road. The business manufactures and refurbishes trailer axles for mobile homes and large equipment.

According to a statement by the office of United States Attorney David J. Hickton, evidence is presented in the indictment alleging Leroy sexually exploited the children between 2009 and 2016 at his home and on interstate trips.

Butler County Det. John Hertzog also “detailed direct and indirect efforts by Leroy to obstruct the investigation,” the statement from Hickton’s office states.

The alleged victims, two of whom are now adults, are not being identified due to the nature of the allegations.

“We plan to fight this,” said Townsend, who described his client has been married for 22 years, often charitable to his church and having helped raise at least four children without incident. “He’s given back a lot.”

Townsend, who questioned why his client was being charged in two courts at once, described the case as “bizarre and upsetting.” He claims that the alleged victims have given different accounts of their accusations, and that at least one has recanted.

Representatives of the District Attorney’s office could not be reached. And Margaret Philbin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh, declined to comment on any statements made by the alleged victims.

In county court, Leroy is charged with two counts each of indecent assault of a person under the age of 13, indecent assault of a person under age 16 and reckless endangerment, and five counts of corruption of minors, and four counts of child endangerment.

In the county’s case, Leroy was scheduled for a preliminary hearing earlier this week that has been rescheduled to Jan. 11.

The defendant posted a $250,000 bail set by District Judge Sue Haggerty. Subsequently, on Tuesday, federal Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan ordered that Leroy remain in the custody of the United States Marshals pending trial.

In federal court, the four-count indictment was returned on Nov. 9 and unsealed Tuesday.

While the cases are pending the FBI “is actively looking for additional victims,” said Philbin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation — Pittsburgh Division at 412-432-4000.