A German national was sentenced last week to four and a half to 10 years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in East Donegal Township.

Judge Dennis Reinaker sentenced Erik Weidling, of Enger, Germany, on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty Oct. 15 to 16 offenses including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility.

Weidling, 21, traveled to the United States and assaulted the girl at her East Donegal Township residence in late February and early March 2024.

Speaking to the court prior to his sentencing, an attorney representing Weidling said that the relationship, while illegal, was also consensual, and noted that Weidling and the victim were relatively close in age.

But Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick, who prosecuted the case, said this was not a case of “star-crossed lovers,” but a premediated plan by Weidling to have sex with a child.

Weidling, Haverstick noted to the court, was not only aware of the victim’s young age, but also lied to her, claiming to be 17 years old and going as far as to create a fake German ID showing a false age.

“He had a plan,” Haverstick said.

When the victim’s mother caught Weidling he lied to her about his age as well, Haverstick noted.

Additionally, the victim told investigators that Weidling was aggressive during the sexual acts, Haverstick told the court, leaving her with visible injuries.

Weidling told the court that he didn’t know his actions were illegal in the United States, adding that he never would have left Germany had he been aware. Nevertheless, Weidling acknowledged that his actions were “wrong,” and told the court that he looked forward to completing his sentence and returning to his life in Germany.

Henry Weidling, the defendant’s father, spoke through an interpreter on his son’s behalf, describing his upbringing in Germany and saying his family “stands behind him” and asked for a lenient sentence so they could “embrace their son again” and he could return to his life in his home country.

Susquehanna Regional Police Detective Laurel Bair filed the charges.