Businessman sentenced
for corruption of minors
A 49-year-old Wyoming County businessman was sentenced Wednesday to one to seven years in state prison and a $500 fine for corruption of minors after police say he had sexual involvement with a person in his home.
Chris A. Keiper of Nicholson, who formerly had a roofing business in the Falls Twp. area, told President Judge Russell Surtleff, “I apologize for the inappropriate relationship I had.”
His victim took the witness stand and acknowledged, “I have nightmares on a daily basis because of the abuse you put me through.
“You were supposed to be a source of support, but you came to be the evil I worried a lot about,” the victim said.
Keiper initially faced 48 sex offenses when charges were filed in January 2018, and almost went to trial three times before his attorney, William Thompson, and Assistant District Attorney Deborah Albert-Heise worked out a plea agreement in which he faced just one count of corruption of minors with the defendant over 18.
But Albert-Heise told the judge, “This was not a one-time thing,” and said her client was clearly traumatized. “Unlike what his wife suggested, he did not lead an exemplary life.”
Keiper said, “I apologize for any pain I caused. I am truly sorry.”
In handing down his sentence, Shurtleff said Keiper would have to register as a Tier l sex offender under the Adam Walsh Act for 15 years.
He asked Thompson to read into the record all the nuances of what sex offender registration meant over time.
“Do you understand all that he just read?” the judge asked.
Keiper said, “I do.”
Other sentences
Other sentences handed down Wednesday in Wyoming County Court:
Josh Robert Bartron, 39, of Tunkhannock, to 18 months’ probation, a $500 fine and $8,000 restitution for theft by deception on June 16, 2017.
Craig Martin Bauer, 48, of Montrose, to seven to 23½ months in county jail and a $1,000 fine for terroristic threats on Sept. 20, 2018.
George Ronald Charney, 73, of Monroe Twp., to 12 months’ probation and a $500 fine for criminal solicitation to commit prostitution on Aug. 16, 2018.
John Jay Dalton, 55, of Nicholson, to three to six months in county jail and a $1,500 fine for DUI of a controlled substance, second offense, on Oct. 2, 2018.
Dwight Paul Derhammer, 63, of Nicholson, to six months’ probation and a $300 fine for DUI on Dec. 7.
Alyssa M. Duffy, 30, of Clarks Summit, to 99 days to 23 months in county jail, followed by 37 months’ probation, and a $1,500 fine for DUI of a controlled substance, second offense, on July 11.
Leo Joseph Harvey II, 44, of Dushore, to 48 hours to six months in county jail and a $500 fine for DUI on May 2.
Kelly Annette Jones, 51, of Wilkes-Barre, was sentenced to two to 18 months in county jail, a $500 fine and $750 restitution for theft by deception on July 7, 2018.
Octavier Michael Kaufman, 25, of Noxen, to 12 months’ probation and a $500 fine for possession of a controlled substance on April 9.
Andrew-Arron Enrico Kusmierz, 42, of Wyalusing, to 30 days to 12 months in county jail and a $500 fine for simple assault on May 31.
Stephen Andrew Lane, 31, of Tunkhannock, to 12 months’ probation and a $500 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia on March 20.
Skylar Allen Latini, 23, of Wyalusing, to 12 months’ probation and a $500 fine for possession of drug paraphernalia on Dec. 23.
David John Pilcavage, 46, of Plymouth, to 120 days to 23 months in county jail and a $1,500 fine for DUI of a controlled substance, second offense, on Oct. 15, 2018.
Gary James Race, 51, of Falls Twp., to three to 23½ months in county jail and a $500 fine for recklessly endangering another person on May 28.
Dylan Scott Rust, 24, of Tunkhannock, to 72 hours to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine for DUI on May 18.
John David Saul Jr., 26, of Tunkhannock, to 12 to 24 months in state prison, a $1,000 fine and $13,316.40 in restitution for simple assault on April 29.
Genevieve Victoria Toole, 40, of Scranton, to one to six months in county jail and $1,000 fine for DUI of a controlled substance on Dec. 27.
Ashley Nicole Turner, 22, of Forkston Twp., to 12 months’ probation and a $500 fine for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle on Nov. 26.
Joshua David Tyler, 30, of Meshoppen, to six months’ probation and a $500 fine for DUI, second offense, on June 15.
Allen Leon Wilson III, 46, of Noxen, to five years’ standard intermediate punishment, commencing with 90 days’ house arrest, a $1,500 fine, and $6,149.39 in restitution for DUI of a controlled substance, second offense, on May 1, 2018.
Contact the writer:
bbaker@wcexaminer.com;
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