In the borough of York Springs in Pennsylvania, state police are investigating a serious complaint regarding the long-term sexual abuse of a minor. The accuser states that the perpetrator abused her over the course of ten years.

Such allegations can have profound and far-reaching effects on a person's life, regardless of the outcome of the case. If you've been charged with sex crimes against children, call the LLF Law Firm at 888.535.3686 or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation.

A Decade of Sexual Abuse

Matthew Eby, 36, faces 15 charges of sexual abuse. The specific charges include indecent assault, corruption of minors, statutory rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and unlawful contact with a minor. Most of these charges are felonies with varying degrees of severity, depending on the specific crime and the victim's age at the time. The only charges recorded as misdemeanors are the indecent assaults.

According to Eby's 17-year-old accuser, 12 of the abusive incidents took place from 2013 to 2019, when she was between the ages of 7 and 13. The victim says that Eby then committed the last three crimes on June 13, 2023, after a four-year gap. That same day, she reported Eby at a police station in Gettysburg, after which she received treatment and a sexual assault kit at a hospital. Eby insisted that he had not interacted with the victim on the day in question, but after serving him with a warrant, the police confirmed that his DNA matched samples taken from the victim.

The police filed charges on May 20, 2024. Eby's unsecured bail was set to $50,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 6, 2024.

Sex Abuse Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law classifies rape as a violent crime because of the physical and emotional trauma it tends to inflict on victims. As such, the consequences of a conviction resemble those given for voluntary manslaughter. That is, the crime is recorded as a first-degree felony, and sentencing may include a $25,000 fine and up to 20 years of prison time.

Other sex crimes, like indecent exposure and assault, come with hefty punishments as well. They can be misdemeanors, meaning lower fines and less prison time, but when aggravated, they become felonies. Involuntary deviate intercourse and sexual assault are felonies as well.

All these crimes may result in the offender getting added to the National Sex Offender Registry, sometimes for life. Those convicted of sex abuse against minors are especially likely to become permanently designated as sex offenders. This is because minors lack the maturity to fully comprehend or consent to anything sexual in nature, even if they think they understand. They're also physically and financially powerless against the adults in their lives, making them particularly vulnerable.

Are You Facing Child Sexual Abuse Charges?

Considering the serious and sensitive nature of sex crimes, especially against children, cases like Matthew Eby's require careful handling. If you're looking for a committed criminal defense team to help you navigate a child sexual abuse charge, contact the LLF Law Firm offices at 888.535.3686 or through this contact form.