A New Holland man was convicted Wednesday of sexually abusing five victims over a multi-year span.
A local jury convicted 52-year-old Gustavo A. Rendon of 30 offenses, including 21 felonies, following a three-day trial in Lancaster County Court.
Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick presented evidence that Rendon raped and sexually abused five children in multiple locations in Lancaster and Berks between 2003 and 2010. The jury heard “harrowing” testimony from the victims detailing the abuse.
“How could this man get away with sexually abusing five victims for seven years and how could it not see the light of day for 10 years?” Haverstick said rhetorically to the jury during his closing statement. “What you heard during this trial was the blueprint to the answer. Fear. Isolation. Control. Shame.”
All the victims were 14 or younger at the time of the abuse, which spanned seven years.
One victim testified to multiple instances where Rendon took her to places and allowed other men to sexually abuse her.
Haverstick admired the strength of the victims for testifying and coming forward.
Haverstick argued and received bail to be raised to $2 million. Rendon remains in Lancaster County Prison.
Pennsylvania State Trooper Kory Wardrop filed charges.