Caretaker Pleads Guilty 329 Counts of Assaulting Involving Patients

Caretaker Pleads Guilty 329 Counts of Assaulting Involving Patients

WEST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA – On Monday, James Zook, 69, a former caretaker at Faith Friendship Villa, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing 14 residents.

Zook accepted guilt on 329 counts of institutional sexual assault, 333 counts of indecent assault, and one count of disorderly conduct.

The reports of abuse spanned from 2007 to 2022.

Zook, who had been employed at Faith Friendship Villa for around 20 years, faces a maximum sentence of 3,094 years.

The initial arrest took place on November 7, 2022, with additional charges filed in January after more victims came forward.

Caretaker Pleads Guilty 329 Counts of Assaulting Involving Patients