Pittston man sentenced to up to 6 years in prison for sexually abusing teenager | State

A Pittston man who admitted to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in an Edwardsville home was sentenced Thursday to up to six years in prison.

Francisco J. Soto Toyens, 26, was accused of sexually assaulting the teenager in 2022 after he apparently “stumbled” into her living room while drunk.

The girl, who had been sleeping on a sofa, woke up to find that her blanket and pants had been removed. Soto Toyens then sexually abused the teenager until she pushed him away and ran into a bedroom, prosecutors said.

Soto Toyens pleaded guilty to sexual assault in February. In return, prosecutors dropped other charges against him.

Before his verdict was announced on Thursday, Soto Toyens briefly apologized to the victim.

Luzerne County Chief Judge Michael T. Vough imposed the sentence and ordered Soto Toyens to serve three to six years in prison, followed by three years of probation.

As part of his sentence, Soto Toyens must register as a sex offender for life.

He was remanded in custody to serve his sentence in state prison, with 672 days of time already served being credited to him.