LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster County man will serve up to 12 years in prison following his conviction for his repeated sexual assaults of a 16-year-old victim, prosecutors said Wednesday.
John Wakefield Jr., 48, of Columbia, was found guilty of statutory sexual assault (11 years or older), aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and indecent assault of a person less than 16 at a trial last December.
He was sentenced to 5-12 years in prison Monday by Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office, who praised the victim for providing the key pieces of evidence in Wakefield's conviction: a recording of the final assault, and his "brave" testimony at trial.
“(These offenses) would’ve stayed in the dark,” prosecuting Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller said during the sentencing proceeding. “And would’ve never come to light.”
Wakefield Jr. must register as a sex offender with Pennsylvania State Police for the rest of his life through Megan’s Law.
“This is a type of crime that hurts a victim, family, and community in a way that’s hard to put into words,” Miller said.
The victim recorded the final assault by hiding a camera in the room, according to prosecutors. The victim then showed the recording to a neighbor, who contacted authorities.
The video was presented at Wakefield Jr.'s trial.
The victim testified that the sexual abuse occurred between February and September of 2022.
Wakefield Jr. and his wife testified during trial that the abuse was “wrestling,” as Wakefield Jr. had previously been a wrestling coach.
“The child he abused and molested did nothing wrong,” Wright said to the supporters of the defendant present in the gallery.
Turning to the victim, Wright said, "You were victimized by a criminal. You are a hero in my book.”
Wright sentenced Wakefield to 2-5 years on the statutory sexual assault conviction and 3-7 years on the aggravated indecent assault conviction to run consecutive.
Columbia Borough Police Detective Matthew Leddy filed charges and testified during trial.
