Former caretaker in Mirmont receives 8 to 19 years in prison for sexual assault

MEDIA COURT – A former caretaker at the Mirmont Treatment Center in Middletown Township was sentenced Monday to eight to 19 years in state prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a patient there in 2022.

Tavonte T. Tate pleaded guilty by plea bargain to charges of aggravated sexual assault of an unconscious person (a second-degree felony), criminal trespass (a third-degree felony), and simple assault (a second-degree misdemeanor).

The victim told Pennsylvania State Police officers that Tate sneaked into her room and sexually assaulted her at approximately 11:45 a.m. on September 24, 2022. A warrant was issued for his arrest on October 13, and he was in custody on October 26, 2022.

Tate, 21, of Philadelphia, has been behind bars since that date because he failed to post 10% of the $300,000 bail.

Assistant District Attorney Bryan Barth said the victim was informed of the agreement reached with defense attorney Anna Hinchman and agreed to the terms.

Tate waived an evaluation by the state’s Sex Offenders Assessment Board to determine whether he meets the criteria for a sexually violent offender before handing down sentence. However, Common Pleas Court Judge Kevin F. Kelly noted that the evaluation will still take place and an additional hearing may be necessary.

In addition to his prison sentence, Tate was ordered to register as a sex offender for life under Megan’s Law. He is not eligible for early release, but he was given credit for time already served. Tate was also ordered to provide a DNA sample to state police and to stay away from the victim.