Child Molester Sentenced to State Prison

CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced today that a Clearfield County man has been sentenced to state prison for statutory sexual assault and indecent assault.

Shaw identified the defendant as Taylor Jarvis, 21, of Clearfield. Currently, Jarvis is housed in the Clearfield County Jail pending transfer to the State Prison System.  

A criminal complaint filed by Sgt. James Glass of the Lawrence Township Police Department, charged Jarvis with various offenses including: 1) statutory sexual assault, F2; and 2) indecent assault, M1, 2 Counts. 

An affidavit of probable cause filed with the complaint provides that on Oct. 19, 2010. Sgt. Glass was dispatched to the Clearfield Hospital to meet with the victim of an alleged sexual assault. The investigation revealed that Jarvis had sexually molested a 13-year-old victim while Jarvis was staying at the victim’s residence.

On May 2, 2011, Jarvis tendered a plea of guilt to the charges. The Honorable Fredric J. Ammerman issued an Order on Aug. 31, 2011, directing that Jarvis undergo an Megan’s Law assessment by the State Sexual Offender’s Board prior to sentencing. A Megan’s Law Hearing was scheduled for Sept. 2, 2011.

During the Megan’s Law Hearing, the Shaw offered expert testimony from Molly Wagner to establish that Jarvis is a sexually violent predator. Wagner is a member of the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Assessment Board and conducted an assessment to determine if Jarvis meets the statutory criteria to be classified as a sexually violent predator. During the hearing, Wagner stated that it was her expert opinion that Jarvis does meet the criteria to be classified as a sexually violent predator. 

Following the presentation of testimony and evidence, Ammerman then issued an order declaring Jarvis a sexually violent predator for purpose of Megan’s Law. Following the Megan’s Law Hearing, the court then proceeded with the sentencing of Jarvis. 

Ammerman then sentenced Jarvis to a minimum of 2 ½ years and a maximum of 15 years incarceration in the state prison system.

Following sentencing, Shaw stated that he was satisfied with Judge Ammerman’s sentence. Shaw stated that the sentence imposed by Ammerman sends a strong message that this type of conduct is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Clearfield County. Shaw emphasized that all possible efforts will be made to identify, investigate, and prosecute these types of crimes. Shaw also reported that he was pleased with the investigation by the Lawrence Township Police Department in this case.

All calls to Crimestoppers are confidential.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site and selecting “Report A Crime”.