Man Sentenced to Face Decades in Prison After Child Abuse Conviction in Centre County

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A Centre County man was found guilty Friday on 56 charges related to the sexual abuse of four children, following a two-day trial in Clinton County. Kenneth M. Yerger, 28, of Ferguson Township, was convicted by a jury of six men and six women after approximately 90 minutes of deliberation.

Yerger faces serious felony charges, including child rape, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault, indecent assault of a child, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual assault, and corruption of minors. He was also convicted of a misdemeanor indecent assault of a child.

Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse expressed his satisfaction with the verdict and praised the jury’s service. “I hope they can use this verdict as a starting point to heal and find happiness in their lives,” he said, referring to the four victims who endured the traumatic process of facing their abuser in court. Strouse also commended Pennsylvania State Police troopers Chad Harpster and Dalton Young from the Lamar barracks for their thorough investigation.

The abuse occurred between 2017 and 2021. During forensic interviews, four girls, aged roughly 8 to 15, described similar experiences of abuse. The victims reported that Yerger gave or paid them items before or during the abuse. One of the victims said she was abused at Yerger’s home in Ferguson Township.

Both Yerger and his wife testified in his defense during the trial, but the jury found him guilty on all charges. Following the verdict, Judge Michael F. Salisbury revoked Yerger’s bail. He is currently held at the Clinton County Correctional Facility. Sentencing is scheduled for December 9.

The charges carry a maximum potential sentence of 659 years in state prison, though prosecutors have not announced what sentence they will seek.