Crime & Safety

Child Sex Abuse Gets Coatesville Man 12-25 Years

A Coatesville man began sexually abusing a child who was 6 back in 2012 and has since pleaded guilty and was sentenced this week to prison.

Ronald Humphries Jr., 61, of Coatesville, will serve 12.5 to 25 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges.
Ronald Humphries Jr., 61, of Coatesville, will serve 12.5 to 25 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges. (Chester County District Attorney's Office )

COATESVILLE, PA — A young victim and their parent came to West Caln Township Police with the story of child sex abuse that happened over seven years, and after an investigation and a guilty plea, a Coatesville man will go to prison.

Ronald Humphries Jr., 61, of Coatesville, pleaded guilty to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office. The charges were in connection to the sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 13, from 2012 to 2019.

Judge Jacqueline Cody sentenced him to 12 and a half to 25 years in prison.

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Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "The details of the defendant's abhorrent violations against this young child are despicable. It took great strength and courage for the child to disclose to others what the defendant had done. It is our responsibility as adults to protect children from predators such Ronald Humphries Jr. We will not stop until each one is behind bars and our children are safe."

In February 2020, the victim and a parent reported to West Caln Police that she had been sexually abused by Humphries over seven years, beginning at age six. Humphries also forced the victim to watch pornographic videos, the DA's report said. The abuse took place at Humphries' residences in West Caln Township.

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West Caln Police Sgt. Tony Sparano was the lead investigator. Deputy District Attorney Erin O’Brien was the prosecutor.

Call Childline at 1-800-932-0313 if you suspect a child is being abused.

Chester County District Attorney's Office offers training to learn to recognize, react, report child sexual abuse through a free virtual Stewards of Children workshop. Contact County Coordinator Katie Walters at kwalters@chesco.org or 610-344-6115 for more information.

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