A Lancaster city dance instructor recently admitted to sexual abuse of four children, three of whom were his students.
Before ordering sentence, Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker wanted Jose Rivera-Vasquez to apologize to the victims, two of whom watched the hearing from the courtroom gallery.
President Judge Reinaker asked Rivera-Vasquez to turn and apologize to the girls for years of abuse; Rivera-Vasquez turned to them and said he was sorry.
The president judge then ordered Rivera-Vasquez serve 15 to 40 years in state prison and, upon release, register his whereabouts with police, under Megan’s Law for the rest of his life.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Sarno, who arranged the plea agreement, said the crimes were “some of the most egregious” he’s seen in the county.
Rivera-Vasquez, 41, formerly of South Ann Street, abused the girls, who were teenagers at the time, between 2011 and May 2015.
During a 2011 rape of a 17-year-old, he threatened to assault the victim if she told anyone about the sex abuse.
The other victims – students in his dance classes - were 13, 14, and 15 at the start of the abuse.
Rivera-Vasquez also admitting to filming some of the abuse of the three younger victims.
Rivera-Vasquez pleaded guilty to numerous charges, including many felonies, in exchange for the prison term.
Lancaster city police Detectives Sonja Stebbins and Randell Zook were lead investigators.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright