May 25, 2022 – Commonwealth v. James Sollenberger:  Cumberland County Judge Albert H. Masland sentenced James Sollenberger, 53 from Sinking Valley, PA, to six years to twelve years in state prison for sexually molesting a minor.  Sollenberger came to the attention of authorities when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) sent a ‘cyber tip’ to Cpl. Adam DePauw of the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crimes Unit.  The tip reported the circulation of photographs depicting a then unknown female child preforming oral intercourse on an adult male.  Through the course of his investigation, Cpl. DePauw was able to identify Sollenberger as the male in the photographs.  Police were also able to identify the victim who was approximately four years old at the time.  On February 16, 2022, Sollenberger pleaded guilty to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and was subsequently ordered to undergo a sexual offender evaluation under Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law.  As a result of his conviction, Sollenberger is classified as a Tier III sexual offender and required to register under Megan’s Law for the remainder of his life. 

First Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hair LaRue praised the excellent investigative work of Cpl. DePauw.  “As a result of Cpl. DePauw’s investigation, the defendant no longer has access to this victim or any other potential future victims.  A predator has been removed from our streets.”

District Attorney Seán M. McCormack commented, “This case came to the attention of the police through a tip.  This case is a good example of how the public can make a difference to an abused child.  I encourage people that if they believe a child is being abused to make a report to ChildLine 1-800-932-0313, or online https://www.dhs.pa.gov/KeepKidsSafe/Resources/Pages/ChildLine.aspx” 

To learn more about the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Cyber Tip Line you can visit their website at https://www.missingkids.org/HOME