Pittsburgh-area sexually violent offender sentenced to up to 50 years in prison

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A sexually violent offender from Indiana County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to up to 50 years in state prison for child sex crimes.

The Indiana County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release Monday that 48-year-old David Crawford of Homer City has been declared a sexually violent predator. He will spend at least 16 years in state prison, but no longer than 50 years, the DA’s office said. He also must register with the Pennsylvania State Police for the rest of his life under Megan’s Law.

In November 2023, Crawford pleaded guilty to rape of a child, rape by force, rape under threat of force, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse by force and sexual assault, among other charges.

Prosecutors said in the news release that a state police investigation revealed that Crawford sexually abused a minor for approximately two years. According to the news release, Crawford threatened the victim if she reported the abuse to anyone, “which prevented earlier reporting.”

“Tonight the victim can rest easy in this matter, knowing that the defendant will remain in the state prison system for a long time, possibly his entire life,” Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi Jr. said in the news release. “This victim was very strong in this case and I am very grateful that they received justice today. “I applaud the victim’s courage and the Pennsylvania State Police’s thorough investigation, which helped send this defendant to prison for potentially the rest of his life.”

According to the press release, the judge determined that Crawford met the criteria for a sexually violent offender after the prosecution submitted testimony and a pre-sentence report.