Blanchard Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Counts of Child Sexual Abuse

BELLEFONTE — A Blanchard man has entered a guilty plea to child sex abuse charges in Centre County Court.

The case of Joseph Skrtich, age 48, had been scheduled for jury selection on Monday of this week in Bellefonte, but Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller said today he has entered guilty pleas to over 40 abuse-related counts.

Skrtich had been arrested by Rockview state police last October on charges of sexual abuse that police said occurred at various locations throughout Centre County. Authorities said the charges arose when a victim disclosed that Skrtich had sexually assaulted her over an eight year period. Over forty counts were filed, including aggravated indecent assault of a child, unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors, and indecent assault.

According to a release from the district attorney’s office, in mid-August of 2016, the victim disclosed years of sexual abuse that she had endured, from the time she was 12 years old until she was 20. In a separate interview, Parks Miller said, a second victim disclosed that when she was approximately 5 years old, the defendant had made improper contact with her.

Centre County Court ordered an evaluation to be completed by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine whether Skrtich should be classified as a sexually violent predator. Parks Miller said he will also be required to register under SORNA. Sentencing is scheduled for July 25, 2017. Skrtich remains incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility on $500,000 straight bail through his sentencing hearing.

Parks Miller said, “Protecting the children of our community from predators is one of a prosecutor’s most paramount responsibilities. My office will continue to fight for the most vulnerable members of our county.”