Former Leola man sentenced to prison for sexually abusing three children

Less than 1 percent of the 4,000 sex offenders studied by psychologist Robert Stein during his career were classified as sadists.

George Wakeley Jr. is one such person.

During Wakeley’s sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick read from Stein’s written report and rhetorically asked, “What is the character of a man who has spent nearly three decades sexually abusing children?”

Haverstick answered his own question by saying, “Everyone in society would call him a monster, a coward, and pathetic.”

In March, a jury found Wakeley, a former Leola resident, guilty on 17 counts, including eight counts of involuntary sexual abuse of a child. The charges related to Wakeley’s sexual abuse of three boys, ages 5 to 12, in Warwick Township in the 2000s.

Stein’s report states that Wakeley, 62, suffers from a mental disorder: a lifelong, incurable pedophile disorder.

“His behavior can no longer be rehabilitated,” Haverstick summarized Stein’s findings.

One of Wakeley’s victims, now an adult, spoke about his struggles with anxiety, depression and a range of other mental health issues that stemmed from Wakeley’s abuse.

“When I was abused, it felt like my world was falling apart,” the man said. “Nightmares and flashbacks became part of my daily life… My sense of security was irreparably damaged.”

LNP | LancasterOnline does not publish the names of people who report sexual assault without their permission.

Haverstick asked Judge Jeffrey Conrad to sentence Wakeley to between 108 1/2 and 217 years in prison.

“What he did to these children … he gave them a life sentence,” Haverstick said. “To me, that’s not a remarkable sentence at all.”

Public defender Samuel Encarnacion argued for leniency, citing Wakeley’s difficult childhood and limited education. He did not ask for a specific sentence.

“Justice must be tempered by proportionality and sometimes mercy, and that is what I am calling for today,” Encarnacion said.

Wakeley’s mother physically and verbally abused him, Encarnacion said. Wakeley also lost his eye in a lawnmower accident when he was 13.

Encarnacion added that Wakeley did not receive enough support from his teachers and therefore dropped out of school at a young age.

“The court cannot consider only the seriousness of the crimes,” said Encarnacion. “It must take into account proportionality, his past, his character and his childhood.”

READ: Lititz man sentenced to at least 25 years in prison for second sexual assault conviction

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When given the opportunity to speak, Wakeley vehemently denied the boys’ allegations.

“I’m not that kind of person,” he said, punctuating his words with swear words.

Wakeley also expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of his case, saying he was initially charged with fewer than the 17 counts on which he was ultimately convicted.

“They just throw things at the wall and see what sticks,” he said. “I don’t understand this system.”

As Wakeley became more and more agitated, Conrad ordered the grinning Haverstick to take several steps away from him.

Conrad repeatedly reminded Wakeley that this was his only opportunity to utter the sentence he considered appropriate.

The man who testified about Wakeley’s abuse shifted uncomfortably in his chair. One of his supporters muttered that Wakeley had only made the situation worse for himself.

“Mr. Wakeley, I must tell you, I was quite disappointed with what you had to say today,” Conrad said.

When Wakeley interrupted, Conrad sternly replied that he should behave carefully during the rest of the hearing, as it was no longer his turn to speak.

Conrad told Wakeley that he believed the boys’ statements and condemned Wakeley’s “sick, perverse sexual desires.”

He sentenced Wakeley to between 64 and 140 years in state prison.

“I hope it sends a message to our community that you don’t take advantage of children like this,” Conrad said.