A former Bible study leader from Lancaster County has been sentenced to five to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a young girl in 2011 and a woman in 2016.
Michael T. Hess, 50, of East Drumore Township, entered his guilty plea on July 28 to four felony charges and four misdemeanors. After serving his prison term, he will remain under supervision with 10 years of probation.
The first victim, who was about seven years old at the time of the abuse, reported that Hess assaulted her multiple times in a church classroom in Providence Township. According to police, the abuse involved Hess touching her inappropriately while she sat on his lap, with incidents occurring nearly weekly during the school year—estimated between 30 and 36 times.
Once a trusted family friend, Hess left a lasting emotional impact on the victim, who wrote in a statement to the court that she spent years feeling voiceless, ashamed, and “dirty” because of the abuse. Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick, who handled both cases, emphasized the deep and lasting effects of child sexual abuse.
Before being sentenced, Hess expressed remorse, calling his behavior “brutal” and saying he wished he could take back the harm he caused.
In a separate incident, Hess assaulted a 21-year-old woman in January 2016 at a residence in East Drumore Township.
In total, Hess faced two cases that included charges of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault without consent, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of minors, and indecent assault of a child under 13.
The charges were brought by Pennsylvania State Police Troopers Nicholas Reginella and Brian McNally.
Source: PENNLIVE
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