CLEARFIELD – A Houtzdale man facing felony sex assault charges pleaded guilty to lesser charges during sentencing court on Tuesday.
Vincent Emery Spencer, 47, had been originally charged by state police with two felony counts each of aggravated indecent assault, unlawful contact with minor-sexual abuse and aggravated indecent assault, in addition to two misdemeanor counts each of indecent assault person less than 13-years-old and indecent assault in relation to incidents with an eight-year-old girl that occurred from May 2013 to May 2014, at a Morris Township residence.
His plea agreement only included two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault, person less than 13-years-old.
President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman sentenced him to serve 18 months to 10 years in state prison, according to a court employee. He must also serve three years consecutive probation.
This sentence will run consecutive to his current state prison sentence of 12 to 30 months for a felony driving under the influence charge from 2023.
Although an evaluation determined he was not a sexually-violent predator, he needs to register with authorities under Megan’s Law.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the victim reported the assaults to authorities in August 2022. She stated that the first occurred in the residence while her mother was at work and Spencer was supervising her.
She explained that while she was getting ready to take a shower, Spencer “suddenly and forcefully opened the door striking her with it.”
Because she wasn’t clothed, she tried to cover herself. He reportedly backed her up against the wall. She stated: “I was scared and didn’t know what to do.”
She tried fighting to get free, but due to his much larger size, she couldn’t get away. He then reportedly touched her inappropriately.
She told authorities she cried throughout the assault and felt helpless. Afterwards, she said she was bleeding.
He would not let her out of the bathroom, saying she needed a shower. He then waited for her to finish a shower and get dressed. She then was able to run to her bedroom.
The second time she was in a bedroom playing a computer game when Spencer came into the room, pushed her on the bed and removed her clothing. He then molested her. He warned her not to tell anyone, she said.
When asked by police if he assaulted her at any other time, she said it was at least twice and she did not want to talk about any other times.
The victim’s mother recalled this as the same time period when the girl became quiet, withdrawn and nonsocial. Since then, she has received counseling.
When Spencer was questioned, he gave conflicting responses saying he was drinking a lot when the assaults reportedly happened and later claiming he was taking pain medication for an injury and may have blacked out.
