On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the Ephrata Police Department charged Joseph Shimp, 64, of Ephrata, PA, related to sexual assaults on a victim who was 8 years old at the time, which occurred in 2002 and 2003. Shimp was charged with six (6) counts of Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse With a Child (F1), one (1) count of Rape of a Child (F1), two (2) counts of Aggravated Indecent Assault (F2), five (5) counts of Indecent Assault (F3), one (1) count of Unlawful Contact With a Minor (F1), and one (1) count of Corruption of a Minor (M1).

Shimp was arraigned before MDJ Landis on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 and bail was set at $75,000. Shimp was released after posting bail. Shimp is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.