(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: August 29, 2024): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Kane man convicted of Rape and Incest at a jury trial last August has been sentenced to State Prison for his crimes by the Judge.

Brian GAUSMAN, of Kane, was convicted of Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Incest and related crimes. Following conviction, he was required to undergo an assessment by the Sexual Offender Assessment Board who opined that he meets the definition of Sexually Violent Predator under Pennsylvania Law. Upon the receipt of the assessment, the Court held a hearing to determine if GAUSMAN should be classified as a Sexually Violent Predator.

By Order of the Court, he was found to meet that definition. At today’s sentencing hearing, he was sentenced to a period of incarceration of 18 years to 36 years plus 3 years consecutive supervision, no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with other juveniles, no early parole, sex offender treatment and other terms. Because he was found to be a Sexually Violent Predator, he was ordered to register for his lifetime as a sexually violent predator. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer: “We are grateful for the sentence today that will remove GAUSMAN from our community for at least the next 18 years. Our community is not immune to horrific crimes against children and removal of society for a long period of time is the only way to protect would-be victims.

The sentence imposed by the Judge is near the very maximum range set by the legislature. The victim spoke to the Court prior to sentencing and expressed her hope that GAUSMAN would find God. I applaud her bravery throughout the case and express my appreciation for law enforcement for vigorously investigating the case.”

Original Press Release: Former Kane Man Convicted of Sex Offenses Against a Minor (SMETHPORT, Pennsylvania, August 28, 2023): McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Brian A. Gausman (formerly of Kane), was convicted of crimes related to sex acts against a minor. Witnesses testified that, on August 7, 2022, Officer Michael Henry of Kane Borough Police Department was dispatched to Gausman’s residence on Welsh Street in Kane for a report of a suicidal male. On-scene, Officer Henry encountered Gausman and a teenage female relative. The female would later disclose that Gausman raped her and forced her to perform oral sex on him at his residence.

Originally, Gausman was charged with 34 counts including Rape, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Assault, Incest of a Minor, and Indecent Assault. After deliberations, Gausman was convicted of 1 count each of Rape (Felony 1); Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse by Force (Felony 1); and Sexual Assault (Felony 2); as well as 2 counts of Incest of a Minor (Felony 2) and 2 counts of Indecent Assault (Misdemeanor 1). District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. Officer Michael Henry of Kane Borough Police Department investigated the case. Following conviction, Shaffer asked the Court to modify Gausman’s bail and the Court set his bail at $250,000 (straight).

He was remanded to the McKean County Jail. The Court ordered Gausman to undergo a sexually violent predator evaluation as required by law for any offender convicted of a sex offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Anyone who suspects child abuse is urged to call Childine at (800) 932-0313.