Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Matthew Chapman, aged 43, has been sentenced to a term ranging from 15 months to seven years in prison for the repeated sexual abuse of a child. Chapman, a resident of Sayre, has also been mandated to register as a sex offender for life.
Chapman was convicted by a jury in Bradford County on charges of indecent assault and corruption of minors. "Our efforts to hold abusers of children accountable for their vile actions will never cease," Attorney General Sunday stated. He added, "I commend the investigators and prosecutors — and of course, the brave survivor — who helped secure this conviction and the jury for their dedication to their task throughout this disturbing case."
The trial revealed that Chapman assaulted the child multiple times while she was sleeping, taking advantage of his relationship with the child's family to gain access.
The prosecution of the case was handled by Senior Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo.