CLEARFIELD – A 70-plus-year-old man who pleaded guilty to molesting two girls was sentenced to state prison on Tuesday.
William Stewart of Stump Creek pleaded guilty to six counts of indecent assault, two counts of endangering the welfare of children and six counts of corruption of minors.
Stewart was sentenced to nine months to 5 years in state prison on each count of indecent assault, with each count to run concurrent to each other. He is to refrain from the use or possession of alcoholic beverages, must complete the Project Point of Light program, submit to DNA testing, is to have no contact with the victims nor is he to have any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18.
On the two counts of endangering and six counts of corruption of minors, Stewart was sentenced to two years probation on each count, with each count to run concurrent to the above sentence.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the complaint alleges that two 10-year-old female cousins were molested by the defendant while camping at the Cayman Landing Campground within Treasure Lake. A second set of victims identified as sisters being 9 and 8 years of age are alleged to have been molested by the defendant while camping at the Cayman Landing Campground, and again at the defendant’s residence in Rochester Mills, Indiana County. The complaint states the molestation occurred between May and June .
Prior to sentencing Stewart’s attorney Greg Bazylak informed Judge Paul E. Cherry that Stewart wished to withdraw his open plea of guilt.
Stewart was scheduled for trial in November but instead tendered an open plea of guilt in October. Cherry noted that Stewart was questioned as to his understanding of the plea and agreed to it at the time. One of the stipulations of the open pleas was that Stewart could not withdraw the open plea of guilt.
Cherry denied Stewart’s request.
Bazylak asked for IPP for his client’s sentence as well. He stated a number of health problems his 72-year-old client has, including heart problems, cancer and others.
“I ask the court for leniency,” Bazylak said on behalf of his client, who, when offered a chance to address the court, said nothing.
A victim’s tearful mother addressed the court as well.
“We’re asking that you take him off the street so he can’t hurt another child,” said the woman. “Please give him the maximum.”
Cherry noted after sentencing Stewart that the reason for the prison sentence was that it would be suited to deal with his medical needs as well as the nature of his crimes.