This article was originally published on GoErie.com by Madeleine O’Neill on July 19, 2018
A 66-year-old North East man will spend at least another three and a half months in prison for having inappropriate contact with an 11-year-old boy between March and November of 2017.
George T. Reslink, the defendant, on Thursday received nine to 18 months in the Erie County Prison, followed by seven years of probation. The sentence was in the standard range of state sentencing guidelines.
Erie County Judge Daniel Brabender gave Reslink credit for about five and a half months already served.
Brabender said he had been prepared to give Reslink a lengthier sentence that would have sent him to state prison.
But the victim’s mother, who knows Reslink, said that while she remains angry, she also believes that Reslink is sorry for his actions.
“I would like to see him get minimum sentencing, stay here in the county and gets lots of psychiatric help,” she said. The victim’s mother said her son is receiving therapy and is doing “okay.”
Reslink’s court-appointed lawyer, Keith Clelland, said Reslink was himself a victim of abuse as a child. Clelland also pointed to Reslink’s lack of a prior record in asking for a county-level sentence.
In response to a question from Brabender, Reslink said he didn’t know why he committed the crimes.
“Just confused,” he said tearfully.
First Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz asked Brabender to impose a lengthy period of supervision. Reslink must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Reslink pleaded guilty in June to a third-degree felony count of indecent assault and a first-degree misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child. He faced up to a maximum of 12 years in state prison.
Pennsylvania State Police charged Reslink had indecent contact with the boy between March 1 and Nov. 29, 2017, according to information in the criminal complaint.
Also charged in the case is 36-year-old Adam M. Reslink, who is George Reslink’s son. Adam Reslink is accused of having indecent contact with the same victim between May 1, 2015, and Nov. 19, 2017.
Adam Reslink is awaiting trial on two counts of indecent assault and one count each of endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors and attempted indecent assault. He remains in the Erie County Prison on $50,000 bond.
Madeleine O’Neill can be reached at 870-1728 or by email. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNoneill.
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