LANCASTER, PA — A Lancaster City man, Miguel Morciglio-Figueroa, 42, has been handed a harsh 38-87 year sentence by Lancaster County President Judge David Ashworth after being found guilty of child rape and related charges. The ruling, delivered last Friday, brings some closure to a case that has shocked the local community.
Morciglio-Figueroa, a resident of the 300 block of N. Franklin St., was not only convicted but also classified as a sexually violent predator by a licensed psychologist during the proceedings. This grim label comes with a lifetime sex offender registration requirement.
Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Baker, who led the prosecution, minced no words when describing Morciglio-Figueroa’s actions. “[Morciglio-Figueroa] is an absolute predator,” he declared. “He waited and chose the times when the victim was alone and vulnerable. It’s an appropriate sentence for what he did. He put the victim through nine years of abject hell.”
The brave victim, now a full-time college student, stood strong in the face of her tormentor. Speaking during the proceeding, she defiantly told Morciglio-Figueroa, “You ruined my entire childhood. But you won’t have the satisfaction of ruining my entire life. The victim here is the younger version of myself. Not him.”
Three witnesses were called to speak on behalf of the defendant, and his counsel pleaded for a more lenient sentence of 10-20 years plus probation. Morciglio-Figueroa, however, chose to remain silent throughout the hearing.
Judge Ashworth showed no mercy when delivering the sentence, stating, “You have victimized an entire family. I have not heard any contrition or remorse. There is no mistake that you have committed rape of a child.”
The case came to light in September 2021 when the victim courageously reported the abuse, which started when she was just six years old and continued until she was 15, to a social worker. The abuse took place in Lancaster City from 2009 through 2018.
The diligent work of Lancaster City Bureau of Police Detective Jared Snader led to Morciglio-Figueroa’s conviction on October 17, 2023, following a two-day trial.
For those affected by sexual abuse, harassment, or assault, YWCA Lancaster operates a 24-hour sexual assault hotline at 717-392-7273, offering free, confidential counseling and therapy services.
The YWCA Lancaster, Lancaster County’s designated rape crisis center, offers free counseling and therapy to survivors and their loved ones affected by sexual abuse, harassment, or assault. For more information or to schedule an appointment, reach out at 717-869-5009 or wehearyou@ywcalancaster.org.
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