DA MANZI PUBLISHES STATEMENT ON CONVICTION OF CHILD ABUSER

Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi issued a statement yesterday convicting a Homer City man of sexually abusing a child.

David Gene Crawford, 48, of Homer City, was sentenced to up to 50 years in state prison on three counts each of rape and involuntary sexual intercourse and each of statutory sexual assault, sexual battery and indecent assault of a person under 13 years of age cases and incest. The incidents were reported to the ChildLine hotline, prompting an investigation by state police, who determined the victim had been assaulted over a two-year period. Crawford also threatened the victim if she reported the abuse to anyone. In November 2023, Crawford pleaded guilty to the charges for which he was convicted.

Manzi said the victim was very strong throughout the case and was grateful that the victim received justice. He also thanked the state police for their thorough investigation.

While Crawford will spend the rest of his natural life in prison, he will also be classified as a sexually violent offender for the rest of his life.