Pocono News Section

Bushkill Man Sentenced for Child Sex Assault

Bushkill Man Sentenced for Child Sex Assault - Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 5:47PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 @ 05:47pm EDT
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - He admitted to having sexual contact with a four-year-old boy and Tuesday he learned he's going to prison.

George Kessel of Bushkill, Pike County, was sentenced in Lackawanna County. He will serve between two and seven years in prison.

The family of the young victim was in court. It was an emotional day for them.

Kessel pleaded guilty to having unlawful contact with a minor. Police say he made his four-year-old victim touch him behind a restaurant in Dickson City last November.

Prosecutors say the sentence is appropriate.

"We're confident that he'll be doing most of that seven years because Pennsylvania treats sex offenders very seriously," assistant district attorney Michelle Olshefski said.

The young victim's family spoke with Eyewitness News after the sentencing. We are not identifying them to protect the boy's identity.

"Very emotional," the boy's mother said about the court hearing. "To know my son had that happen to him."

The victim's grandmother says the boy is still dealing with trauma from the abuse to this day.

"It's on his mind. They say kids forget things, kids don't forget these things. These things are with you forever."

Geoge Kessel's legal troubles are not over yet. After his arrest, police from Morris County, New Jersey contacted Lackawanna County prosecutors. He's wanted for similiar crimes there.

"He's facing similar, a little bit more aggregious charges in New Jersey, the sexual assault of a little 12-year-old boy in New Jersey," Olshefski said.

In court, Kessel apologized to the family of his victim, but they say they don't buy it, especially after learning there may be more victims.

"That's what he was told to say. He's hoping to get things better, but how can he keep doing it if he's sorry? If you're sorry, you don't do it anymore," the victim's grandmother said.