Muncy man gets over 60 years in prison for child sexual assault
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Marcus McDaniel, 37, was sentenced to more than 60 years in prison in a hearing before Judge Ryan Tira Tuesday morning.
In late October, McDaniel was found guilty of rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors and obstruction.
McDaniel was initially charged in April 2022 after a child reported that they had been inappropriately touched by McDaniel, with new allegations coming to light in August 2022, alleging the sexual abuse started in early February 2021 and lasted 14 months, according to Det. Loretta Clark, lead investigator for the case.
Arrested in April with McDaniel was Michelle Strayer, 34, who was charged with sexual exploitation of a child and related offenses for helping him make arrangements to abuse the child, according to court testimony.
Text messages uncovered during the investigation revealed that McDaniel and Strayer discussed trying to convince the child that she had dreamt the abuse, according to prosecutors.
During his sentencing, C. Townsend Velkoff, an official with the sex offender assessment board, classified McDaniel as a sexually violent predator.
In his report, Velkoff cited a prior sexual offense committed by McDaniel when he was a juvenile. McDaniel was placed in specialized sex offender therapy.
Additionally, McDaniel acted in a predatory nature through his pressuring of Strayer beginning when the child was three years old, and committed an "extremely intrusive" assault of the child, Velkoff said.
McDaniel was also diagnosed with pedophilia disorder, "a lifetime condition that significantly increases the likelihood that he will re-offend," Velkoff said.
In arguing for a light sentence, defense attorney Jeana Longo stressed a strong bond between McDaniel and his family, including his own four children.
No supporters were in attendance on behalf of McDaniel, a choice Longo said was at McDaniel's behest.
A victim impact statement was read by a relative of the child, who called the details of McDaniel's crimes "gut wrenching."
The relative expressed the wish for McDaniel to experience the fear the child felt.
"No child is safe as long as he is free," the relative said, referring to McDaniel.
"Any sentence less than the maximum would depreciate the seriousness of this offense," assistant District Attorney Martin Wade argued.
The minor victim has been in trauma counseling since coming forward with the assault, Wade said. Wade added that McDaniel showed no remorse for his actions, and had attempted to flee from prosecution.
McDaniel was tried in absentia after failing to appear for the beginning of his trial.
He was later apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in the area of Manchester, New Hampshire, and returned to Lycoming County Prison.
"I can't think of a worse nightmare for a child to have to live through," Tira said, addressing McDaniel.
In handing down his ruling, Tira also noted attempts by McDaniel to avert the justice system, stating that McDaniel had taken steps to "avoid responsibility until the very last moment."
"You have created a nightmare that you didn't even want your own family to be present to hear the details of," Tira said to McDaniel.
In total, McDaniel was sentenced to a prison term of 61 years and three months to 122 years and 6 months.