LANCASTER, Pa. — George Pfeiffer, 64, of New Providence, was sentenced today to 32-64 years in a State Correctional Institution following his conviction on numerous sexual abuse charges. The sentencing concludes a decades-long saga of abuse that affected multiple victims over several years.
Case Background
Pfeiffer was found guilty in April after a three-day trial before Lancaster County Judge Thomas Sponaugle. The jury, after deliberating for approximately one and a half hours, convicted Pfeiffer on 30 charges, including 15 first-degree felonies. This case marks one of the oldest sex offense cases prosecuted in Lancaster County, with initial misconduct dating back to 1995.
Charges and Convictions
Pfeiffer’s convictions include:
- Seven counts of rape
- Four counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse
- Three counts of unlawful contact with a minor
- Six counts of aggravated indecent assault
- Four counts of sexual assault
- Three counts of corruption of minors
- Three counts of indecent assault
Victims and Abuse Timeline
The court heard harrowing details of Pfeiffer’s abuse, which spanned nearly three decades. The first two victims, who remained silent for almost 30 years, were subjected to ongoing abuse from 1995 to 2002. The first victim was approximately 15 years old when the abuse began and it continued until they were 21. The second victim, abused from around age 11 to 17, suffered similarly.
The third victim’s abuse started in 2014 when they were just 7 years old and continued until 2021. The third victim eventually disclosed the abuse to the first victim at the age of 14, prompting the first two victims to come forward.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was meticulously investigated by Manor Township Police Detective Colleen Tatara and Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Brian McNally, both of whom testified during the trial. Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick, who prosecuted the case, acknowledged the significant delay in justice but emphasized the importance of the eventual verdict.
“The first two victims waited nearly 30 years for this day, but they never really thought it would happen,” Haverstick stated. “They would have taken Pfeiffer’s sick secret to their graves, but he could not stop sexually abusing children.”
Sentencing and Future Implications
In addition to his lengthy prison sentence, Pfeiffer was determined to be a sexually violent predator, a designation that underscores the severity of his actions and the ongoing threat he poses. He was remanded to Lancaster County Prison pending his transfer to a state correctional facility.
The resolution of this case brings some measure of closure to the victims, who endured years of trauma and suffering. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and persistence in prosecuting long-term abuse cases.
