On Wednesday, Jan. 3, Arturo Aleman, 47, of the 100 block of Green Street, Lancaster, admitted to raping a child in his care in Lancaster and Berks counties from 2016 through 2022.
When the girl was just 14 years old she "disclosed the abuse to Lancaster City Bureau of Police Detective Jessica Higgins, who began her investigation in Oct. 2022," the DA explained.
The abuse happened from when the girl was approximately 8 years old until she was 12 years old, according to the DA's release.
It mainly took place in Reading while Aleman was her "sole caretaker," the DA noted.
A search of the Reading home led to the discovery that Aleman had drilled a hole in the wall of the shower to secretly video the girl. He kept the video on his cellphone, investigators found out.
He pleaded guilty to the following charges court records show:
- Felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child (two counts).
- Felony unlawful contact with a minor - sexual offenses.
- Felony corruption of minors - defendant age 18 or above.
- Felony endangering the welfare of children -parent, guardian, or other commits offense.
- Felony sexual assault (two counts).
- Felony indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age.
- Felony indecent assault of a person less than 16 years of age.
- Felony photograph, film, or depiction on a computer of a sex act- knowingly depicts this on a computer.
- Felony child pornography.
- Felony criminal use of communication facility.
- Misdemeanor invasion of privacy - view, photograph, etc. a person without consent.
He was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison plus five years of probation by Judge Dennis Reinaker.
"The Berks and Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office conferred about the case and determined Lancaster would prosecute.," the DA said. Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lapp prosecuted the case.
Aleman has an active case for simple assault and harassment from Oct. 2022 but his status conference scheduled for Jan. 4, 2024, has been canceled. Daily Voice reached out to the DA's office and was told it is on the call list for March 1st.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Lower Paxton and receive free news updates.