CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced today that a Clearfield County man has been sentenced to state prison for rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with minor, and indecent assault.
Shaw identified the defendant as Patrick Hockenberry, age 43, of Winburn. Currently, Hockenberry is housed in the Clearfield County Jail pending transfer to the State Prison System.
A criminal complaint filed by Trooper Kimberly Ronan of the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield Barracks, charged Hockenberry with: 1) rape of a child, F1; 2) involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, F1; 3) unlawful contact with minor, F1; and 4) indecent assault, M1.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Ronan provides that in July 2010, the Pennsylvania State Police began an investigation into the sexual molestation of two minor girls. The investigation first revealed that Hockenberry had sexually molested a seven-year-old victim while the victim was staying at his residence in the summer of 2009. The investigation also revealed the Hockenberry had molested another victim, a eight year old female, three times between January 2009 and July 2010.
On Jan. 27, 2011, Hockenberry tendered a plea of guilt to the charges. The Honorable Paul E. Cherry issued an Order on January 28, 2011, directing that Hockenberry undergo an Megan’s Law assessment by the State Sexual Offender’s Board prior to sentencing. A Megan’s Law Hearing was scheduled for May 9, 2011.
During the Megan’s Law Hearing, the District Attorney’s Office offered expert testimony from Brenda Manno to establish that Hockenberry is a sexually violent predator. Manno is a member of the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Assessment Board and conducted an assessment to determine if Hockenberry meets the statutory criteria to be classified as a sexually violent predator. During the hearing, Manno stated that it was her expert opinion that Hockenberry does meet the criteria. Manno further testified that she has conducted over five hundred assessments and only a small portion of those assessed meet the statutory criteria of a sexually violent predator.
Following the presentation of testimony and evidence, Cherry then issued an order declaring Hockenberry a sexually violent predator for purpose of Megan’s Law. Following the Megan’s Law Hearing, the court then proceeded with the sentencing of Hockenberry.
Prior to sentencing, Cherry stated “What you did to those two children was reprehensible. That was a sick, sick act.” Cherry then sentenced Hockenberry to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 40 years incarceration in the State Prison System.
Following sentencing, Shaw stated that he was satisfied with the sentence imposed by Cherry.
Shaw stated that with a 40 year maximum, this defendant will likely serve the remainder of his life in prison. Shaw stated that Cherry’s sentence sends a strong message that this type of behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Shaw noted that efforts will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute these types of crimes. Shaw also stated that he was pleased with the investigation by the State Police in this case.
All calls to Crimestoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site and selecting “Report A Crime”.
