Great Bend man pleads to multiple sex crimes

DUANE ANDERSON

BY STACI WILSON

A Great Bend man could serve up to 71 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple sex charges in Susquehanna County Court on Friday.

Duane Jay Anderson, 34, entered guilty pleas to six counts leveled against him in three separate cases – two lodged by the state’s Child Predator Unit and one case handled by the district attorney’s office.

Anderson was first charged for attempting to lure a 13-year-old girl over the internet for sexual purposes. He was actually communicating with an agent from the Child Predator Unit posing as a teen.

Police arrested Anderson and his girlfriend, Jamie Eastman, when the couple arrived at a meeting time and location the couple had designated in Montrose.

After the initial charges were lodged, Pennsylvania State Police filed charges in January against Anderson for the sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl.

Following a forensic investigation of Anderson’s computer, Child Predator Unit agents discovered he had also videotaped the assault of the child and additional charges were filed against the man.

Anderson entered guilty pleas to three counts of unlawful contact with a minor, one count of criminal use of a communication facility, one count of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 13 and sexual abuse of children – all felonies.

Prior to his sentencing, scheduled for Feb. 24, 2011, Anderson must undergo an evaluation by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine if he meets the criteria of a sexually violent predator.

Eastman was sentenced Thursday to 11 1/2 months, with credit for time served. She is now eligible for parole.