A Enola man faces between 12 to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday in Dauphin County court to sexually abusing two girls. Joshua M. Markelwitz, 28, plead guilty to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, indecent exposure, sexual abuse of children, unlawful contact with minors, corruption of minors and furnishing alcohol to minors.
Markelwitz was accused of using his position as a youth leader at a Lower Paxton Township church to sexually prey on one of the victims when she was just 11-years-old, police said. According to police reports, Markelwitz molested the girl on several occasions over a 3-year period.
During the investigation, another victim came forward in Cumberland County. The girl told police she met Markelwitz while he volunteered with her high school band. Markelwitz began having a sexual relationship with her after she turned 16-years-old, according to police reports.
Judge Richard A. Lewis ordered the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Assessment Board to evaluate Markelwitz to determine if he is a sexually violent predator under the state’s Megan’s Law.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 8.