Former PA Trooper Jailed 42-88 Years For Sexually Assaulting A Child

WEST CHESTER, PA —A former Pennsylvania state trooper convicted of sexually abusing a girl he was babysitting for was sentenced to 42 to 88 years in state prison.

Darren Lawrence, 62, of Wilmington, Del., was sentenced by Judge Alito Rovito Wednesday in the Chester County Justice Center here on 19 counts of raping a child and related charges.

Lawrence was also designated as a violent sexual predator, which requires that he report his whereabouts to state police in the event he is released from prison.

Investigators said Lawrence sexually abused the victim, whose name is being withheld by Patch, at least once a month when she was in his care from 2006 to 2009 at different locations in Chester County, including at his home in Kennett Township.

Lawrence was convicted by a jury in September 2021 of sexually assaulting a victim, now an adult, when she was nine to 12 years old.

Lawrence served as a state trooper at the Media barracks in Delaware County from 1982 to 2000, when he was terminated.

District Attorney Deb Ryan said in a statement available Saturday that the sexual abuse and suffering the young woman endured when she was a child is incomprehensible.

Ryan commended the victim for her bravery and resilience in coming forward after so many years to get justice for herself.

“She is a role model for others and she demonstrates that it is never too late to speak the truth,” Ryan said. “Now that the defendant is going to prison for a very long time, hopefully, she will find peace to move forward with her life.”

Chester County detectives investigated the case. Deputy District Attorney Erin O’Brien and Assistant District Attorney Karen Brindisi prosecuted the case.

Learn to recognize, react, and respond to child sexual abuse by signing up for a free virtual Stewards of Children workshop.

Contact County Coordinator Katie Walters at kwalters@chesco.org or 610-344-6115. Call Childline if you suspect child abuse: 1-800-932-0313.