On Friday, May 9, 2025, following a week-long trial, a Dauphin County Jury convicted Deu Kumar Chhetri of rape, stalking, and loitering and prowling at nighttime. The jury acquitted him of a second count of rape and of burglary. The victim gave eight hours of testimony under direct and cross about a series of events that occurred between September of 2020 and January of 2022. She met the defendant through a mutual friend for the purpose of Chhetri assisting her in obtaining a driver's permit and license. In the context of that relationship, the defendant and his wife approached the victim and asked her to become a second wife and bear children for them. They were unable to have additional children and wanted to have a boy. After rejecting this proposition, the victim was subjected to a stalking campaign by the defendant. Chhetri appeared at her home unannounced, demanded that he be allowed to stay, and called her repeatedly despite requests to cease contact. He knocked on her windows and doors at various hours of the night, and, on at least one occasion, Chhetri forcibly raped her.
The defendant regularly told her that no one would believe her if she reported these actions. He told her that the community to which they belonged to was his, not hers. She described one incident during which he told her that, if they could not be together, they could die together. He indicated a desire to kill them both by driving the victim off a bridge over the Susquehanna River. These actions by the defendant effectively silenced the victim until January of 2022 when he was knocking on her windows and doors for three days in a row. Investigators were able to locate substantial evidence on the victim's mobile telephone. The telephone search revealed evidence of her requests that he cease contact. The smartphone also contained recordings of the defendant begging to stay at her home despite her telling him she was uncomfortable with his presence.
Judge Andrew H. Dowling presided at trial and will sentence the defendant. Chhetri must undergo an assessment by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine if he meets the criteria to be classified as a sexually violent predator. Judge Dowling ordered that the defendant be held in the Dauphin County Prison without bail pending sentencing.
Detective Sergeant Lee Ann Tarasi of the Susquehanna Township Police Department investigated the offenses. Chief Deputy District Attorney Katie L. Adam prosecuted the case.
Location
Harrisburg, PA 17101
