HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Dauphin County man pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple charges stemming from the sexual abuse of two minor victims in 2020 and 2021, prosecutors said.
Kevin Atling, 52, of Gratz, pleaded guilty to criminal attempt to commit trafficking in individuals, a felony of the first degree, two counts of unlawful contact with a minor, and two counts of indecent assault of a minor under the age of 16 at a hearing before Judge Scott Arthur Evans, who accepted the guilty pleas.
Atling admitted to engaging in nonconsensual sexual conduct with two girls on multiple occasions. He repeatedly groped their breasts, inner thighs, and buttocks, and exposed himself to the girls, according to the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office. He also attempted to watch them change clothes in their bedrooms and offered one of the victims $40 in exchange for sexual favors, which she refused.
Atling's accomplice, Stacy Shalters, previously pleaded to felony endangering the welfare of children and simple assault for her role in abusing the girls, prosecutors said.
As part of his plea arrangement, Alting must register as a sex offender for the next 25 years, according to prosecutors.
Trooper Tavin Davis of the Pennsylvania State Police, Lykens Barracks, investigated the cases involving Alting and Shalters. Senior Deputy District Attorney Erin Varley and the Dauphin County Human Trafficking Task Force prosecuted both cases.
"Under Pennsylvania Law, engaging in a commercial sex act with a minor is considered Human Trafficking," District Attorney Fran Chardo said. "Many adult victims of human trafficking were commercially exploited as children
"If you or someone you know needs human trafficking services or assistance, please contact 717-780-7086 to speak to the Dauphin County Human Trafficking Advocate. To report human trafficking, including commercial sexual exploitation of children, contact 911, your local police department, CHILDLINE, the Dauphin County DA’s Office, or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888."
