CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man will spend up to 10 years in state prison for raping a woman.
Zackary Schott H. Jenkins, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of rape-forcible compulsion during special sentencing court on Friday.
Judge Paul E. Cherry sentenced him to serve 54 months to 10 years in prison with three years consecutive probation.
He was also ordered to complete sex offender counseling. Although he was not classified as a sexually violent predator after an evaluation, he will still have to register with authorities under Megan’s Law.
Prior to sentencing the victim addressed the court, detailing how the assault had impacted her.
William A. Shaw Jr., attorney for Jenkins, noted how terrible this case was and said he is taking responsibility for his actions.
Jenkins himself apologized to the victim and her family.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the assault occurred at a residence in Decatur Township in June 2024.
The victim reported the rape while she was receiving treatment at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. She explained she went with Jenkins, whom she had an on again, off again relationship, to a movie and then to Cold Stream Dam where they kissed.
She did not want any further physical interactions with him, but she did invite him back to the residence to watch television and cuddle.
While there, Jenkins stated to kiss her and touch her inappropriately. She told him to stop but “he persisted and did not stop.”
She told police she made it very clear she did not want to have sex with him. Still, he removed her clothing and raped her. He continued, even though she was crying, she said.
Later they exchanged messages regarding the assault.
She asked him “you do realize it was sexual assault, right?” to which he responded, “I do.”
In an interview with investigators, he admitted to touching her but could not remember if they had sex, claiming he has a “bad memory”.
Immediately after this interview, police say he called the victim and demanded she tell officials the whole situation was a misunderstanding. He apologized for raping her and attempted to “guilt” her into dropping the charges by telling her he was going to be raped in prison and possibly stabbed. He commented that if he died, she would be responsible.
The conversation also included how in the past he had been physically abusive to the victim, by both hitting and kicking her on multiple occasions, according to the report.
