Prison ordered for Sunday-school teacher who molested girls
A West Manchester Township Sunday-school teacher must spend at least six years in state prison for molesting three girls.
Donald W. Smith, 52, of the 2400 block of Warwick Road, appeared in York County Court Wednesday, where he was sentenced to six to 12 years in prison plus an additional five years of probation, according to deputy prosecutor Seth Bortner.
The sentence was part of a negotiated agreement in which Smith pleaded guilty to charges in three cases, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault on a child and indecent assault on a child, Bortner said.
"Mr. Smith acknowledged responsibility from the outset, participated heavily in treatment and is happy this matter is behind him," said Matthew Gover, Smith's defense attorney.
Bortner said he is pleased with the outcome of the case.
When Smith was charged in June, West Manchester Township Police said the three victims were 11, 12 and 14 years old.
The background: The 11-year-old told police Smith was her Sunday-school teacher and youth counselor, according to charging documents, which did not identify the church.
She said Smith touched her sexually three times between December 2009 and April, documents state.
The incidents happened at the home of Smith and his wife, where the 11-year-old girl and several other children would go to watch movies and hang out on Sunday afternoons, according to police.
Smith's wife was in another part of the house when
Smith allegedly sexually touched the 12-year-old girl multiple times between June 2009 and April. The 12-year-old said Smith first touched her in June 2009. Smith allegedly performed sexual acts on the girl, according to charging documents.
The 14-year-old said Smith put his hand inside her clothing and touched her sexually while hugging her, documents state. The teen also said she saw Smith inappropriately touching one of the other two girls, according to police.
-- Reach Elizabeth Evans at levans@yorkdispatch.com, 505-5429 or twitter.com/ydcrimetime.
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