A state-prison inmate convicted of repeated sexual abuse of a Lancaster County girl got relief from his sentence Wednesday in Lancaster County Court.
Matthew B. Wolfe, 22, was serving 10 to 20 years for abuse of a 13 year-old-girl in 2012.
His case was ordered for resentencing after a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling this year – based on Wolfe’s appeal – deemed mandatory sentencing on sex crimes “unconstitutional.”
On Wednesday, Senior Lancaster County Judge Joseph Madenspacher ordered a new prison term for Wolfe: 6½ to 13 years.
In court, Assistant District Attorney James Reeder argued the victim was an unsophisticated 13-year-old girl victimized by her baby-sitter. Reeder asked that Wolfe get no break from the original prison term.
Wolfe was convicted in 2013 of felony sex abuse for crimes that happened in West Donegal Township and Lebanon County.
Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said Wednesday that Wolfe’s case demonstrates the need for lawmakers to address mandatory sentencing.
Stedman said it is a “real possibility” that there could be more child victims of abuse if offenders are being paroled from prison sooner.
Lancaster County Detective Gregory Wahl filed the charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright