CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man convicted on child rape charges was given a lengthy state prison sentence Monday.
In July, Brett Matthew Nemyo, 59, was found guilty of felony counts of rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and corruptions of minors, as well as misdemeanor indecent assault person less than 13 years old.
The assaults are reported to have occurred in Aug. to Dec. 2021 at his previous address in Coalport, Beccaria Township.
Prior to sentencing, a family member of the victim addressed the court saying at one point the victim thought of taking her life, but she has been receiving counseling to deal with her “mental anguish”.
She stated that she is hoping in the future, the girl can go through a day “without thinking about what you did to her.”
She referred to Nemyo as “shameless” and mentioned he has made life hell for the victim and her family since he assaulted her four years ago.
Deputy District Attorney Tami Fees read a statement written by the victim.
In it, the girl said although she is in therapy, “nothing will fix or heal the damage inside me.” She said Nemyo didn’t deserve freedom or a happy life. She went on to say that him being in prison will make her life easier as she feels a “heavy weight” being lifted off her shoulders.
She noted that Nemyo will not be able to hurt any other kids.
After four years she said she finally heard the “word that would change my life. Guilty.” During the trial, “each time they said that word a spark of life came to me.”
She finished by saying she was grateful for everyone who helped her.
Fees told Judge Paul E. Cherry that after an evaluation by an expert, it was determined that Nemyo is not a sexually violent predator. She suggested that instead of the recommended minimum sentence of 10 years, that Cherry give him a minimum time of 20 years.
Nemyo’s attorney, Chris Pentz, stated that he will be filing an appeal, and asked Cherry to allow Nemyo to remain free on bail.
Cherry refused this and said Nemyo would be going to jail “today.”
In total, Nemyo was given a state prison sentence of 25 to 66 years with 12 years probation by Cherry.
Nemyo will have to register with authorities under Megan’s law and he is to have no unsupervised contact with any female under the age of 18. He must also complete sex offender counseling.
The victim testified during the trial that while in a hot tub, Nemyo put her hand on his private parts, had her perform oral sex on him, and licked her private area. He then lifted her up by grabbing her waist, and put her down onto his lap, initiating intercourse.
Similar incidents occurred in his bedroom, on his couch and in a camper.
Nemyo himself testified denying the allegations, but admitting the girl was at his home in Aug. 2021 with other family members.
In a shocking twist, Nemyo claimed in his testimony that because of a medical condition, he was unable to achieve an erection.
In her closing arguments, Fees dismissed claims by Nemyo that he could not perform sexually as there were no medical records to confirm this.
In an interview after the trial, Fees commended the victim for her courage to take the stand and explain what happened to her.
“I am so proud of her. She was very strong.”
For more information on the trial, click here.
