Anderson sentenced in sex crimes

BY STACI WILSON

A Great Bend man will spend 150-400 months in prison for sexually assaulting a child in June 2009 and other sex related crimes.

Duane Anderson, 34, was ordered Thursday by Judge Kenneth Seamans to serve concurrent sentences on six counts that originated in three separate cases. Two of the cases were handled by the state attorney general’s office and one by the Susquehanna County District Attorney’s office.

Anderson was sentenced on 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.

Before receiving his sentence Anderson told the court, “I’m real sorry for what I did. I just want to get the help I need.”

He also ordered to pay over $4,000 in restitution to the victim for counseling services she has received.

The Times-Tribune does not identify the victims of sexual assault.

Anderson was first arrested Dec. 30, 2009, by the state child predator unit after he attempted to lure a teen over the internet for sexual purposes. Anderson had actually been communicating with an undercover agent.

After the initial charges were lodged, Pennsylvania State Police filed charges in January 2010 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.

At the sentencing hearing, Anderson agreed to forfeit the computer to the attorney general’s office for destruction.