District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court has affirmed the conviction and sentence of the Duke Center man convicted of Rape of a Child and other sex crimes.  The Superior Court agreed that the jury’s verdict was supported by sufficient evidence and found VANCAMP’S assertion that the Court’s sentence was an abuse of discretion to be “wholly frivolous.”  The Superior Court also agreed with the Trial Court that the evidence was sufficient that VANCAMP meets the definition to be classified as a Sexually Violent Predator and that VANCAMP’S assertion otherwise is “frivolous.”  VANCAMP was sentenced to state incarceration for a period of 22 years – 44 years plus additional terms. 

ORIGINAL RELEASE: DUKE CENTER MAN SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF A CHILD (MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania:  August 29, 2024):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Duke Center man convicted of Rape of a Child in December has been sentenced at a sentencing hearing before the Judge at the McKean County Courthouse today. Sebastian VANCAMP of Duke Center was previously convicted of 2 counts Rape of a Child (victim under 13) and related charges.  Following conviction, pursuant to Pennsylvania Law, he was ordered to undergo an assessment with the Sexual Offender Assessment Board and, following a hearing with the Judge, he was found the meet the definition of a Sexually Violent Predator. Because the Court’s determination of Sexually Violent Predator status is required to occur before sentencing, the original sentencing date was continued to today. He had also been charged with Child Pornography in a different case. 

Following his conviction of Rape of a Child, he pled guilty to possession child pornography.  At today’s sentencing hearing, VANCAMP was sentenced to 22 years to 44 years plus 3 years of consecutive supervision for 2 counts of Rape of a Child (victim under 13); 2 counts Statutory Sexual Assault; Corruption of Minors; 5 counts of Indecent Assault; and Sexual Abuse of Children (Child Pornography).  As a Sexually Violent Predator, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for his lifetime, have no contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with juveniles, sex offender treatment and other terms.  He is not eligible for early parole.  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer:  “Because the victim in this case was a child under 13, we were able to seek a higher sentence than the sentencing guidelines provide for on the charges of Rape of a Child – which allowed us to seek a minimum of at least 10 years of incarceration on those charges.   Because he was convicted of 2 counts of Rape of a Child, we asked the Court to give him at least 10 years – 20 years on each Rape to run consecutive to each other to recognize that he committed the crime more than once.  Because the child pornography was a separate crime, we asked the Court to run that consecutively as well.  These cases were the efforts of a brave victim and excellent police work.  And I thank them.” If you suspect child abuse, please call 911 and Childline at 1-800-932-0313.

Original Post:  DUKE CENTER MAN CONVICTED OF RAPE OF A CHILD (MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania; December 5, 2023):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a two day jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Sebastian Vancamp, of Duke Center, was convicted of sex crimes against a female when she was age 11 and 12. The testimony included that, between December, 2019 and December, 2021, Vancamp would meet the juvenile victim at various places in Duke Center where he would engage in sexual intercourse with her. The crimes were discovered after the juvenile told school personnel who reported the crimes to Childline. Trooper Eric Thompson of the Pennsylvania State Police received the report from Childline and investigated that case.  Vancamp was convicted of 2 counts Rape of Child (Felony 1); 2 Counts Statutory Sexual Assault (Felony 2); Corruption of Minors (Felony 3); Indecent Assault (Felony 3); and 4 counts Indecent Assault (Misdemeanor).  The jury found him not guilty of additional counts of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse.   The jury also found that Vancamp’s action were a course of conduct.  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. Because he was convicted of sex crimes, Vancamp was ordered to undergo an assessment with the Sexual Offender Assessment Board to determine if he meets the statutory definition of a sexually violent predator.  Such an assessment is required for anyone convicted of most sex offenses in Pennsylvania pursuant to the law formerly known as Megan’s Law (now Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, or “SORNA”).  Sentencing was set for March 14, 2024.  The Sex Offender Board is allotted 90 days to complete its assessment under the statute.  The assessment is required to be completed prior to sentencing. If you suspect child abuse, please contact Childline at 1-800-932-0313 or 911. Created Dec 5th, 2023 @ 2:32 PM Created Aug 29, 2024 @ 3:57 PM | Updated Oct 21, 2024 @ 5:14 PM Created Jun 6, 2025 @ 2:36 PM

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