After only thirty-five minutes of deliberation, a jury today convicted Richard Raker, 59, of molesting a 15-year-old girl in his Millersburg home in 2016.  The jury found Raker guilty of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, unlawful contact with a minor, and corruption of minors following a two day trial before Judge Deborah E. Curcillo.   The intellectually disabled girl testified that in May of 2016, Raker took her to his home with the permission of her parents to retrieve items he was giving to the family.

While at the house, the defendant took the victim to his bedroom and then had sexual contact with her.  Before taking her back to her home, the defendant told the girl not to tell her parents what had happened.  A couple of weeks later, the victim told a friend who reported it to the authorities.  Trooper Christopher Wright of the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case and interviewed all witnesses including the defendant.  Raker admitted to Trooper Wright that the girl was at his home and in his bedroom, but denied that there was any inappropriate contact.  Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle argued to the jury, during her closing argument that “the defendant took advantage of a vulnerable girl by grooming her over a period of time.  The law is designed to protect all people—in this case the most vulnerable of victims.”   

Judge Curcillo set sentencing for December 2, 2020, after the defendant undergoes an evaluation by the Sexual Offender’s Assessment Board to determine if he should be classified as a sexually violent predator.  The judge raised the defendant’s bail to $150,000, following the verdict.  But, the defendant posted that bail almost immediately.