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Karthaus man gets prison term

Former West Branch employee accused of sexual assault of student

CLEARFIELD — People were sobbing and crying in a Clearfield County courtroom after a Karthaus man was sentenced to state prison for having sex with a student at a local school.

In a twist from normal hearings, the defendant’s family sat next to the victim and her family, comforting each other in the packed courtroom.

Michael William Narehood, 24, was charged with having sexual contact with the 14-year-old girl in his office at the West Branch School where he was employed as technology coordinator in May 2019.

In an interview with investigators, Narehood admitted to his actions, according to the affidavit.

Narehood signed an open plea agreement prior to his scheduled trial in October.

In court Tuesday, family members and the victim spoke in favor of Narehood.

The teen, who was often harassed at school due to an alleged prior case of molestation, explained she found encouragement and a friend in Narehood when no one else would help her.

“He isn’t a threat,” she said. “He is a good, kind, caring person.”

She admitted that while Narehood was incarcerated on this case, she decided to take her own life. She sent a message to him that was received by his family who sent the authorities to her house.

“Without them, I would not be standing here today.”

When Narehood addressed the court, he apologized to the victim and his own family, saying he takes full responsibility for his actions.

“My intentions were to help her, never to harm her.”

Judge Paul Cherry admitted he was expecting to give Narehood a “considerable sentence” but changed his mind based on all the letters he received in support of Narehood and the people who spoke for him.

Cherry sentenced Narehood to a total of three to six years in state prison with three years’ consecutive probation for involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault.

He is not able to work in any position overseeing children and he is to have no unsupervised contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 18. He must also register his address with authorities under Megan’s Law.

As the sentence was read, a few family members and the victim broke into tears, at times sobbing loudly. After Narehood was taken out, the victim collapsed onto the floor for a short time before the courtroom was cleared.

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