City man sentenced up to 70 years in prison after being found guilty of raping, sexually abusing girl
A Lancaster City man was sentenced to 35 to 70 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to repeatedly raping and sexually abusing a young girl.
Judge Dennis Reinaker handed down the sentence to Dalton Rodney Lewis, 22, on Oct. 23. Lewis had pleaded guilty in July to 16 different offenses including a single count of rape and six counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, among other charges.
Fighting through tears, the victim told the court that she now constantly lives in fear, has difficulty being out in public or speaking to men and is constantly afraid of being in her own home as a result of Lewis’ actions.
At times the victim told the court she feels she would be better off dead than to continue living with the memory of Lewis assaulting her.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve having him do that,” the victim said.
Despite the harmful impact of Lewis’ actions, the victim nevertheless said she hoped he would receive “the help he needs” in prison – and that he would never again harm someone.
In imposing the sentence Judge Reinaker noted the long-term consequences the assaults have had on the victim, which he called “tragic.”
When given the opportunity to speak Lewis apologized to the victim, her family and the court for his actions, adding that he hoped the victim would receive the help she needs and “live a good life from here on out.”
Prior to imposing the sentence Judge Reinaker commended the victim for her courage and expressed gratitude for her family for providing her support. Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick, who prosecuted the case, also commended the victim’s family for standing behind her “100 percent.”
Haverstick told the court Lewis used the girl as a “sex toy” for nearly a decade and deserved a lengthy state prison sentence.
An attorney representing Lewis agreed with Haverstick that his actions constituted “every parent’s worst nightmare,” but argued that Lewis’ own youthfulness during the time the offenses were committed necessitated a lighter sentence of eight to 20 years in state prison to provide him the opportunity to receive counseling.
Lewis repeatedly raped the victim at his residence in the 200 block of Reese Avenue starting from when she was about 6 years old.
Investigators began looking into Lewis in January 2024 when the then-15-year-old victim told police he had forced her to perform sexual acts against her will for years.
When questioned by police Lewis admitted to having sexually abused the victim.
Lancaster City Bureau of Police Officer Micaela Heckman filed the charges.
