×

Man declared violent sexual predator

A Duncansville area man who entered a no-contest plea to sexually assaulting a child will be required to register with police for the rest of his life, Blair County Judge Elizabeth Doyle has decided.

Peter John Douglas Orona was charged with sexually abusing a girl for more than six years, beginning when she was 10 years old.

The 39-year-old Orona entered a no-contest plea to a charge of aggravated indecent assault by forcible compulsion last June.

Doyle sentenced him to four to eight years in prison. He is serving his time at the State Correctional Institution at Cresson.

In a new procedure instituted by Blair County court officials last year, the sentencing hearing and a hearing to determine if the suspect is a violent sexual predator under Pennsylvania law do not have to occur at the same time.

This means a judge could impose the prison sentence for the crime and hold a sexual predator hearing later.

Doyle last week declared Orona to be a violent sexual predator after hearing testimony from Corrine Sheuneman, a psychologist who did an evaluation of Orona and a member of the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment Board.

The police, based on information obtained from Orona’s now teenage victim, said Orona began touching the girl when she was 10 years old. When she resisted, he used force, charges stated.

She told police he molested her for years, but she never revealed what he did.

The youngster as she neared the end of high school went to study abroad, and it was at that point she revealed to her host mother what Orona did.

The host mother called American authorities, launching an investigation by police and Blair County Children, Youth & Families.

Orona would not talk to Scheuneman during her investigation, but after reviewing the girl’s story and the criminal case, she concluded he met the criteria as a violent sexual predator.

Doyle adopted Sheuneman’s conclusion. This means Orona will have to register his address with police and report any changes in his residence, job and other activities as they occur.

Doyle also ordered Orona to have not further contact with the victim.

Mirror Staff Writer Phil Ray is at 946-7468.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
I'm interested in (please check all that apply)(Required)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?(Required)