CLEARFIELD – On Wednesday a Frenchville man was sentenced to 15-60 years in state prison after pleading guilty to raping a 4-year-old girl.
Sherman Graham, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of burglary, flight to avoid apprehension and related charges. Graham must pay restitution and is prohibited from contact with any of the victim’s in the case, and is also prohibited from contacting any member of the 4-year-old girl’s family.
According to court records, on July 28, 2008 the 4-year-old girl told her mother how Graham had penetrated her. She later told police that Graham had vaginally and anally penetrated her. She also reported that Graham told her not to tell anyone or he would hurt her.
The woman confronted Graham who initially denied the claim. Reportedly he later admitted to her that he did what the girl claimed.
The girl’s mother then left and called the police. While she was calling the police Graham reportedly arrived and said, “You don’t want to do this. This is how people’s lives are ruined.”
Graham was told to leave and reportedly fled to the nearby woods, where police say he waited while they were searching for him.
On July 29 around midnight Graham allegedly entered a camp along Germania Road and drank a few beers and stole two flashlights and binoculars.
Later that day he allegedly broke into another camp, along McCool Road/Germania Road and drank coffee and ate a can of baked beans before sleeping on the couch.
On July 30 around 2 a.m. he reportedly fled to a nearby garage and stole a truck.
On July 30 around 2:30 a.m. Graham allegedly entered LC Jordan’s Deli and Mini Mart and stole candy, a lighter, hamburger rolls, charcoal fluid, bug repellent, deodorant, toothpaste and other items before fleeing.
According to court records Graham then fled to Buffalo, NY before fleeing to Ohio. There he allegedly rammed a toll gate on the Ohio Turnpike near Maumee, OH, about 50 miles west of the Pennsylvania border.
Graham was later apprehended by Kansas State Police after he was pulled over for a traffic violation.
At sentencing Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. asked Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to impose the highest possible sentence on Graham.
“It’s a concern for future protection of children to impose at least an 80 year maximum,” said Shaw. “This kind of stuff is completely, completely, unacceptable.”
Shaw said that Graham was willing to be deemed a sexually violent predator, thus forgoing a hearing to determine his eligibility for a Megan’s Law assessment. Graham must still undergo a Megan’s Law assessment. During Ammerman’s questioning of Graham, the Frenchville man confirmed that he was willing to be deemed a sexually violent predator.
Shaw also commended Tpr. Dave Patrick of the Pennsylvania State Police.
“He did a fine job investigating.”
Graham’s attorney, Dan Bell, asked Ammerman to take into consideration Graham’s age, 44, as well as state sentencing guidelines.
“This may well be a sentence where he will never leave the Department of Corrections,” sad Bell.
Graham addressed the court prior to sentencing, stating that he could not think of anything to say that would not belittle “sorry.”
“What I am … I have no choice but to take responsibility for it,” said Graham.
Prior to sentencing the girl’s mother addressed the judge.
“There’s no words that could adequately describe the depth of pain we had to endure,” she said. The woman also commented that Graham did not crush the girl’s spirit, and thanked her neighbors.
“The Bible teaches us to hate the sin, not the sinner,” the mother said. “I do not hate Sherman. I hate what he did.
“I will continue to pray for his soul.”
