The State College man who pleaded guilty to repeatedly raping a child will spend a long time behind bars for his crimes.
Prosecutors say Stephen Lucas, 39, was sentenced on Thursday to 30 to 60 years in state prison. He was also found to be a sexually violent predator.
Lucas will have to register under S.O.R.N.A. (previously Megan’s Law) for the rest of his life and will be prohibited from being alone with children.
He pleaded guilty to nine counts of rape by forcible compulsion and nine counts of rape of a child.
An investigation began in May of 2013 when the victim, a 12-year-old girl who lived in a home with Lucas, revealed that she was being sexually abused, according to prosecutors.
The girl reportedly said the abuse began when she was just 8-years-old. Investigators say Lucas exposed the girl to pornography and committed sex acts in front of her.
The abuse reportedly happened in the child’s bedroom and in the living room of the house she shared with Lucas.
In a news release, Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller says, “This brave survivor came forward to protect her small niece” because she was afraid the other girl would also become a victim. “All children deserve to feel safe in their own homes and this will help our survivor turn the page and move forward,” says Parks Miller.
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