LOCK HAVEN - Clinton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael F. Salisbury issued an Opinion and Order on March 26, 2026 concluding that Kenneth Matthew Yerger of Longmeadow Lane, State College, will be classified as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse had petitioned the Court prior to sentencing in this case to seek the SVP designation for Yerger after he was found guilty of 56 counts of sex offenses against multiple female children following a jury trial that concluded on August 8th, 2025.  At a hearing held on March 17th, 2026, Strouse presented an expert witness who had conducted an investigation into the case to determine whether Yerger met criteria to be considered an SVP - which would require Yerger to comply with the highest levels of sex offender registration under Pennsylvania's Megan's Law.  Yerger contested the SVP designation sought by the Commonwealth and was represented by counsel at the March 17th hearing.

In reaching the conclusion that the Commonwealth had demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that Yerger met criteria to be designated as an SVP, Judge Salisbury concluded that Yerger suffers from a mental abnormality that makes him a serious risk for re-offense.  

Yerger remains incarcerated at the Clinton County Correctional Facility and is scheduled for sentencing on May 29, 2026 at 1:30 p.m..  Judge Salisbury will also preside at the time of sentencing.

For more information relating to Yerger's conviction, the release relating to his August 2025 conviction can be found here: https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/clinton/da/133000/post/state-college-man-found-guilty-56-counts-child-sexual-abuse