State College Man Convicted of Child Rape

A 64-year-old State College man has been convicted of raping a 7-year-old child on several occasions in 2009 at his apartment on Waupelani Drive.

Paul “John” Leidy is scheduled for sentencing in September on charges of rape of a child and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, both first-degree felonies; aggravated indecent assault and statutory sexual assault, which are second-degree felonies; and related charges, including sexual abuse of children and photographing sexual acts and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a statement released by Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller’s office.

The mandatory minimum sentence is 10 years in prison for both first-degree felonies, plus a minimum of five years in prison on the aggravated indecent assault conviction.

“We will certainly seek the mandatory sentences for the acts that were perpetrated on this young child and hope to see a very lengthy sentence,” Miller said in the statement released by her office. “We thank the Centre County jury who heard this difficult case and let the victim know her voice was heard. This is a crucial step in her healing process.”

The victim, who is now 9, testified during Monday’s day-long trial, at one point telling the jury what happened by writing on a piece of paper, the district attorney’s office stated.

Judge Pamela Ruest, who presided over the trial, revoked Leidy’s bail after the verdict, and Leidy remains in bail pending his sentencing, also by Ruest, scheduled for Sept. 1.