CLEARFIELD – An Amish man accused of molesting his daughters pleaded guilty Tuesday in Clearfield County Court.
In March of 2019, state police charged Wallace J. Schmucker, now 56, of Punxsutawney with two counts of aggravated indecent assault, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, four counts of corruption of minors, two counts of indecent exposure and 11 counts of indecent assault on person less than 16 years old in relation to incidents that happened between 2004 and January of 2016 at his Bell Township home.
According to the affidavit, during that time period, Schmucker allegedly touched four girls aged 13 years old to 15 years old inappropriately. This included touching their private area and breasts.
Prior to sentencing on Tuesday, a hearing was held to determine whether he was a sexually violent predator.
William G. Allenbaugh II, an expert from the state’s sex offender assessment board, testified before President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman that he had done a complete review of the case and it was his professional opinion that Schmucker met the criteria of a sexually violent predator due to the fact that he targeted girls aged 13 years old to 15 years old and the assaults happened over a 12-year period, indicating a clear pattern of behavior.
Defense attorney Joseph Ryan provided an expert of his own. Dr. Robert Wettstein, a forensic psychiatrist from Pittsburgh, testified by phone.
Wettstein disagreed with Allenbaugh that Schmucker’s behavior was predatory because he didn’t find that Schmucker had manipulated the victims to allow his misconduct.
There was “no grand plan here,” Wettstein said and he referred to Schmucker as more of an opportunist because there was a five-year gap in the molestations.
Deputy Attorney General Summer Carroll, who represented the Commonwealth, in her cross examination of Wettstein pointed out that Schmucker had admitted to fighting an urge to touch his daughters, which Wettstein acknowledged.
Still Wettstein stuck to his claim that Schmucker was a low risk to re-offend.
Wettstein explained he had interviewed both Schmucker and his wife for his report that concluded that Schmucker was not a sexually violent predator.
During some of the more intimate details of the couple’s relationship and the assaults, many of the Amish women in the courtroom kept their heads down.
After considering both testimonies, Ammerman ruled that Schmucker was not a sexually-violent predator.
As they moved to the sentencing phase of the hearing on Schmucker’s open plea agreement, Ryan noted that seven letters written by the victims had been submitted to the court supporting Schmucker.
Ammerman stated that the letters all say the same thing: they love and miss him and want him to come home.
Schmucker addressed the packed courtroom before his sentence was announced, apologizing and saying it would never happen again. He broke down in tears, causing his family members and others in the courtroom to cry with him.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte, also representing the commonwealth, said he had read the letters, which he felt raised more concerns about Schmucker returning to their community. He said if he does molest another girl, that no one will contact police.
“They thought they were just going to address this with God,” Schulte said and they were shocked that authorities arrested Schmucker. Ammerman responded saying “they probably want us to stay out of their lives.”
Ryan commented that the church had actually dealt with this case internally before contacting law enforcement. Schmucker completed counseling at a facility in Lancaster prior to his arrest.
He added that the couple has a plan that satisfies Clearfield County Children, Youth and Family Services regarding having minor children in the home when he returns.
The victims feel Schmucker has been punished enough at this point, Ryan said. Schmucker has served over 18 months in jail.
When he is released, he is expected to return to Lancaster for additional counseling.
Ryan suggested Ammerman sentence Schmucker to 18 to 36 months in the county jail with a term of probation, which would keep him under supervision for the rest of his life. If he violates, Ryan said, then Ammerman could send him to state prison.
Instead, Ammerman sentenced Schmucker to a total of two to 14 years in state prison followed by six years of probation for two counts of aggravated indecent assault, four counts of corruption of minors, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, all felonies, and 10 misdemeanor counts of indecent assault and three counts of misdemeanor indecent exposure.
He was ordered to complete the Project Point of Light treatment program.
Schmucker will still need to register with law enforcement for the rest of his life and he is to have no unsupervised contact with any female under 16-years of age.
All four victims confirmed to the court that they want to have contact with him.