(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: December 22, 2023):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse, Darvin Carpenter, was sentenced to the equivalent of a life sentence following his conviction of hundreds of sex offenses against 7 juvenile females over the course of 20 years. 

All of the victims except one is now an adult and some of them spoke at today’s sentencing.

The jury convicted CARPENTER, age 52, of 251 counts including several counts of Rape of a Child,  Rape by Forcible Compulsion, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Aggravated Indecent Assault, providing marijuana to juveniles, and many other crimes.

The case came to light after a juvenile victim told her mother that the defendant, who was a relative, touched her on her “bad spot.”  Mother reported the child’s words to Childline, the state-wide hotline that receives reports of child abuse and refers them to the county Children and Youth agency and law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. 

Trooper Eric Thompson of the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case.  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer said: “The young girl who reported what the defendant did to her led to the discovery of numerous, horrific sex crimes that spanned 20 years.  Her bravery and the bravery of the six other now-adult victims is remarkable.  Today, many of them were in court and some of them spoke.  Once again, they faced the defendant after years of victimization.  Trooper Eric Thompson followed each tip with tenacity and located each of the victims.  Together, he and the victims are to be credited for putting a dangerous predator behind bars.”

Judge John H. Pavlock sentenced Carpenter to a total term of 130 years to 260 years of incarceration plus 3 years of consecutive supervision which is required by the sentencing code.  Carpenter is not eligible for early reentry programs. 

After his evaluation by the Sex Offender Assessment Board and hearing before the Judge in October, Carpenter was determined to be a sexually violent predator which requires he register as a sex offender for his lifetime. 

He was ordered to have no contact with the victims or their immediate family members and no unsupervised contact with any juveniles, to undergo sex offender treatment, a D&A evaluation, provide a DNA sample, and other terms.   

ORIGINAL POST FOLLOWING TRIAL: (SMETHPORT, Pennsylvania, March 14, 2023): McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a two-day jury trial at the McKean County Courthouse, Darvin Carpenter, of Bradford, was convicted of 251 counts related to sex crimes against children, providing marijuana to juveniles and other crimes.  He was found not guilty of 11 additional counts.

CARPENTER was charged with committing crimes against 7 juvenile victims between the years 2000 and 2022.  The crimes were discovered in 2022 after a juvenile female reported to her mother that CARPENTER had touched her in her “bad spot” and the mother reported it to the Childline child abuse hotline.  The report was referred to Children and Youth Services and law enforcement.  Trooper Eric Thompson of the Pennsylvania State Police-Lewis Run barracks was assigned the criminal investigation.  Through his investigation, he identified six other victims who reported numerous instances of rape from the age of 5, forced oral sex on victims under age 13, unlawful touching of children under age 16, providing marijuana to juveniles and numerous other crimes.

Six of the victims – all now adults – testified before the jury and described the acts committed by the defendant through the last two decades and at various locations in McKean County – including various places he resided, his vehicle, and some of the victims’ own residences.   Some of the victims described not only the crimes he committed against them, but other crimes they witnessed against other children.

The jury convicted CARPENTER of 10 Counts of Rape Of A Child Under 13 (Felony 1); 10 Counts of Rape By Forcible Compulsion (Felony 1); 55 Counts of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (Felony 1); 6 Counts of Criminal Solicitation To Commit Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse On A Person Less Than 16 ( Felony 1); 3 Counts of Aggravated Indecent Assault (Felony 2); 20 Counts of Statutory Sexual Assault (Felony 2); 20 Counts of Sexual Assault (Felony 2); 112 Counts of Indecent Assault – (Felony 3, Misdemeanor 1 & Misdemeanor 2); 11 Counts of Distribution Of Small Amount Of Marijuana (Not For Sale) (Misdemeanor); 3 Counts of Corruption Of Minors, and 1 Count of Indecent Exposure (Misdemeanor 2). 

Trooper Thompson filed a criminal complaint against the defendant on July 14, 2022.  He has remained incarcerated at the McKean County Jail since the time of his arrest. District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth.  Following conviction, DA Vettenburg-Shaffer asked to increase CARPENTER’S bail and it was increased to $1 million.

Because the defendant has been convicted on sexual offenses, the law requires that he undergo an assessment with the Sexual Offender Assessment Board.  Sentencing will be scheduled by the Court. If you suspect child abuse, please call 911 and Childline at 1-800-932-0313.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/post/mckean-county-man-sentenced-serve-least-130-years-following-conviction-hundreds-sex