CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) -- A former State College area psychologist has been sentenced for the rape and sexual assault of a young girl, which lasted from 2005 to 2013.
Richard Lenhart, 63, of Bellefonte, was found guilty in August by a Centre County jury of rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, decent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors, according to Attorney General Michelle Henry.
Lenhart was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison, which means at 63 years old, he could potentially spend the rest of his days in a prison cell. He is also now being convicted of insurance fraud and unrelated sexual assaults of patients in his psychology practice.
"Thanks to the bravery of this victim to come forward and face her abuser, the defendant will spend years in prison for sexually assaulting her,” Attorney General Henry said. “The defendant abused his position of trust to groom and abuse the victim from a young age. My office will continue to make sure that anyone who harms children will be prosecuted and held accountable.”
The victim had told police that Lenhart had abused her in multiple places in State College, which involved inappropriate, sexual and grooming-type behavior. She testified that she was first raped when she was 8 years old.