Bushkill man sentenced for sexual assault

Posted 2/7/20

Pike County District Attorney Raymond Tonkin announced that Morris Beverly, 55, of Bushkill, was sentenced to state prison for the sexual assault of a 13 year old child. In 2016, the girl confided in …

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Bushkill man sentenced for sexual assault

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Pike County District Attorney Raymond Tonkin announced that Morris Beverly, 55, of Bushkill, was sentenced to state prison for the sexual assault of a 13 year old child. In 2016, the girl confided in a trusted relative that Beverly was molesting her. The girl later told a forensic interviewer at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania the details of the sexual abuse.

 An investigation was initiated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pike County District Attorney’s Office approved the charges against Beverly just days later. Law enforcement executed a search warrant in August 2016 upon Beverly’s residence and he was apprehended.

In November 2019, the case against Beverly proceeded to trial. Senior Deputy District Attorney Sarah Wilson presented the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. During the two day trial, the jury heard from the victim and an expert child abuse pediatrician Dr. Michael Rogan. The Pennsylvania State Police testified about items found in Beverly’s home which confirmed the victim’s description of the abuse and showed incriminating text messages Beverly sent to the child to the jury.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning with a verdict. The jury found Beverly guilty of all nine felony charges against him: Statutory Sexual Assault (4 offenses) and Solicitation to Commit Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (1 offense) – each felonies of the 1st degree and Corruption of Minors (4 offenses) – felonies of 3rd degree.

President Judge Gregory H. Chelak sentenced Beverly on February 6, 2020 to a State Correctional Facility for 14 years to 28 years plus an additional 3 years probation supervision. Beverly will be required to submit a DNA sample prior to his release and register under the Adam Walsh Act, commonly referred to as Megan’s Law, for the remainder of his life.

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