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CLEARFIELD MAN SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON FOR CHILD MOLESTATION |
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Tuesday, 04 August 2009 |
 Joshua Andrew Hughes Shaw identified the defendant as 21 year old Joshua Andrew Hughes of Becarria. Currently Hughes is being housed in the Clearfield County Jail pending transfer to the State Prison System. A criminal complaint filed on January 26, 2009, by Trooper Kimberly Ronan of the Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield Barracks, charged Hughes with aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age and corruption of minors.
An affidavit of probable cause filed with the criminal complaint alleges that Hughes kissed and inappropriately fondled the victim at their residence. Hughes admitted to Trooper Ronan that the allegations were true, and further related that he was aware that the victim was only 13 or 14 years old.
On May 21, 2009, Hughes tendered a guilty plea to the charges. Upon tendering a plea of guilty, the Honorable Paul Cherry issued an Order directing that Hughes undergo and assessment by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board prior to sentencing. An evaluation conducted by the Assessment Board concluded that Hughes did not meet the criteria of a sexually violent predator.
Shaw reported that pursuant to Megan’s Law, the nature of the charges filed against Hughes require Hughes to register with the State Police for a period of ten years. Hughes must register as a sex offender despite the results from the Assessment Board.
On July 27, 2009, Hughes appeared for sentencing at which time Cherry sentenced Hughes to a period of five years incarceration in the State Prison System. Cherry further Ordered Hughes to have no contact with the victim or her family.
Shaw stated that he was pleased with the investigation by Trooper Kim Ronan and the State Police. "I am extremely proud of the hard work Trooper Ronan put into this investigation," Shaw said. Shaw noted that when this defendant is ultimately released from prison, he must register with the State Police pursuant to Megan’s Law. "Because of the Megan’s Law provisions, we will be able to track this sex offender for a considerable period of time," Shaw reported. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 06 August 2009 )
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