HARRISBURG, PA — A Bradford County jury has convicted Matthew Chapman, 43, of Ridgebury Township, on charges of indecent assault and corruption of minors for the repeated sexual abuse of a child. The announcement was made by Attorney General Michelle Henry following the two-day trial that concluded earlier this week.
The jury’s decision brings a significant development in a case involving a breach of trust and the exploitation of a vulnerable child. Testimony presented during the trial revealed that Chapman sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions while the child was asleep. His relationship with the child’s family granted him access, ultimately enabling the perpetration of his crimes.
Attorney General Henry emphasized the gravity of the defendant’s actions, stating, “The defendant violated the trust of a vulnerable young child to perpetrate repeated sexual assaults. My office takes its responsibility to protect children very seriously, and we will continue to do everything in our power to protect them from predators who seek to sexually exploit and abuse them.”
Chapman’s conviction marks a significant victory for child protection efforts in Pennsylvania. The case serves as a reminder of the legal system’s commitment to pursuing justice for victims of sexual abuse and holding offenders accountable for their actions.
Chapman is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, following an evaluation conducted by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board. This assessment will determine whether Chapman will be classified as a sexually violent predator under Pennsylvania law, a designation that could lead to stricter post-release monitoring and registration requirements.
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