CLEARFIELD – Christopher Lee Reams, 32, of Glen Hope was sentenced yesterday to a minimum of 20 years to a maximum of 40 years in state prison for sexually assaulting two children, according to Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr.
On Oct. 5, 2012, Trooper Terry Jordan of the Pennsylvania State Police at Clearfield filed two, separate criminal complaints against Reams. He charged Reams with rape of child; statutory sexual assault; involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child; aggravated indecent assault; sexual assault; indecent assault; and indecent exposure.
According to the criminal complaints, in August of 2012, the Pennsylvania State Police began an investigation into the rape of two children. Upon investigation it was found that between March of 2010 and March of 2011, Reams had sexually assaulted a male who was 8 years of age and a female who was 5 years of age.
Both children were interviewed as part of the investigation. Both reported that Reams had inappropriately touched them and had sexual relations with them at a residence in Chest Township.
On Feb. 7 Reams tendered a guilty plea to the charges. Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman issued an order, directing that Reams undergo a Megan’s Law assessment by the State Sexual Offender’s Assessment Board prior to sentencing.
During the Megan’s Law hearing yesterday, Shaw offered expert testimony from Herbert E. Hays, a member of the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Assessment Board. Hays conducted an assessment to determine if Reams met the statutory criteria to be classified as a sexually violent predator.
In his expert opinion, Hays testified that Reams met the criteria to be classified as a sexually violent predator. He noted that Reams met the diagnostic criteria of a pedophile. Hays further noted that because one of the victims was a male, Reams was twice as likely to re-offend as offenders with female victims.
Following the presentation of testimony and evidence, Ammerman issued an order, which declared Reams as a sexually violent predator for purpose of Megan’s Law. Ammerman then sentenced Reams to a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 40 years of incarceration in the state prison system.
Shaw was pleased with the judge’s sentence, saying its magnitude conveys a strong message that this type of inappropriate behavior will absolutely not be tolerated. “Protecting innocent children from predators will always remain a top priority for the District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement in Clearfield County,” he said.
Shaw also explained that the overwhelming majority of child sexual abuse victims are abused by someone they know and trust. For that reason, he stated it’s important for parents to encourage their children to talk to them about anything. Shaw emphasized that anyone who suspects a child has been sexually abused should report it immediately to law enforcement.
Shaw commended the Pennsylvania State Police for their investigation in this case.
Anyone with knowledge of a crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crime Stoppers at 800-376-4700. All calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site at “www.ClearfieldDA.org” and selecting “Report A Crime.”