East Earl Township, PA — A Lancaster County man will spend up to 25 years in state prison after admitting to sexually assaulting three young children over several years, with prosecutors emphasizing the long-term harm caused to victims as young as seven. Christopher Todd Zweifel, 59, entered a no contest plea just days before his trial was set to begin and was sentenced to 12½ to 25 years behind bars.
The sentence follows allegations that the abuse occurred repeatedly between 2019 and 2023 inside the basement of Zweifel’s home on Marble Avenue.
Abuse spanned years and targeted young victims
According to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, the three victims were between 7 and 12 years old at the time of the assaults. Prosecutors said the abuse took place over a four-year period, highlighting both the duration and severity of the crimes.
Zweifel pleaded no contest on April 9 before Judge Thomas Sponaugle to multiple charges, including aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and unlawful contact with a minor.
The plea came shortly before trial, sparing the victims from having to testify in court.
District Attorney Heather Adams said the resolution avoids further trauma for those impacted.
“We are relieved that this case was able to be resolved without further traumatizing the defendant’s many victims,” Adams said. “We hope that this plea will bring a measure of peace to the victims and allow them to heal from the abuses they suffered.”
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Key Points
• Christopher Zweifel sentenced to 12½ to 25 years for sexually assaulting three children
• Victims were between 7 and 12; abuse occurred from 2019 to 2023
• Defendant pleaded no contest days before trial, avoiding victim testimony
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Investigation led by local police
Charges against Zweifel were filed by Lancaster City Police Officer Justin Hackler and East Earl Township Police Officer Gary Sensenig, following an investigation into the allegations.
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Ponessa prosecuted the case.
Authorities did not release further details about how the abuse was discovered but confirmed the offenses occurred inside the defendant’s residence.
Additional classification pending
As part of his sentence, Zweifel will undergo an evaluation to determine whether he meets the criteria of a sexually violent predator, a designation that carries additional monitoring and registration requirements under Pennsylvania law.
What happens next
Zweifel has been sentenced and will serve his term in state prison, with a maximum of 25 years. Officials say the evaluation process for potential sexually violent predator status is still pending.
