Man receives 25-year sentence after admitting abuse in Clay Township
Clay Township, PA – A man who admitted to sexually abusing a child over several years was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in state prison after entering a guilty plea in Lancaster County Court.
Josue Efrain Rivera, 43, was sentenced by Judge David Ashworth following his November 4 plea to multiple felony charges, including rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor, and related offenses. The charges stem from repeated incidents that took place at Rivera’s residence in the 800 block of Hopeland Road between 2022 and 2025.
According to the investigation, Rivera voluntarily approached law enforcement in January and disclosed that he had inappropriate physical contact with a minor. The victim, who was under the age of 13 at the time of the incidents, also spoke with investigators and confirmed the allegations.
Rivera pleaded guilty to a total of nine charges: rape of a child, two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion, three counts of indecent assault of a person under 13, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Ponessa prosecuted the case. The investigation and charges were handled by Officer Matthew Speicher of the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department.
Rivera will be required to register as a sex offender and comply with all terms mandated by Pennsylvania law.
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Key Points
- Josue Efrain Rivera sentenced to 10–25 years for sexually abusing a minor in Clay Township
- Offenses occurred between 2022 and 2025 at Rivera’s home; he voluntarily reported his actions to police
- Rivera pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges and will be registered as a sex offender