Jerry Sandusky Reportedly Dubbed Likely Pedophile by Psychologist in 1998

In 1998, a psychologist told Penn State that one-time PSU defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, exhibited a “likely pedophile’s pattern.” Sandusky currently faces over 50 counts of child sex abuse. 

Michael Isikoff of MSNBC reported the news. The information, attained by NBC News, was in a file concerning the police investigation of Sandusky showering with and bear hugging a boy in the Penn State locker room. 

The finding came from State College, Pa., psychologist Dr. Alycia A. Chambers. She was the therapist for one of Sandusky’s alleged victims. Isikoff reported: 

Chambers gave her report to Penn State police Officer Ronald Schreffler on May 7, 1998, along with a cover letter that highlighted “the gravity of the incidents.” Chambers had also reported the incident to the Pennsylvania “suspected child abuse” hotline, where officials wrote up their own report identifying Sandusky as the “AP” or “Alleged Perpetrator.”

In an interview with NBC News, and quoted by Isikoff, Chambers added: 

There was very little doubt in my mind (Sandusky) … was a male predator, someone that was in the process of grooming a young man for abuse. I thought…my report was strong enough to suggest that this was somebody who should be watched.

This news requires a big shift to the timeline of events in this scandal. Penn State had this report almost four full years before Mike McQueary, who was a graduate assistant at the time, told school officials—including the late Joe Paterno—that he found Sandusky in the Penn State showers with a boy.

Sandusky has pleaded not-guilty to all counts and is awaiting trial.