SMETHPORT — A Port Allegany man accused of a sex offense against a child will serve a lengthy prison sentence.
Dwayne R. Howard, 55, was sentenced Thursday in McKean County Court before President Judge John Pavlock to a term of five to 10 years in prison. He had served 129 days as of Thursday.
Howard must register as a sex offender for his lifetime. He was ordered to have a mental health evaluation that included sex offender counseling, too.
He pleaded guilty Feb. 13 to charges of statutory sexual assault: 11 years older, aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old, corruption of minors and indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old.
On Feb. 8, Howard pleaded guilty to allegations that on July 11, he had indecent contact with a 6-year-old boy.
After reviewing letters from people involved, Pavlock said, “The letters I received both were very well written” and noted that one from the victim was one of the best he has read. The letter included concern for how the case affected the victim’s parents.
“I can’t give the victim peace,” said Pavlock. “I wish I could. I can only do my job here.”
Pavlock shared hope that if the victim could write that kind of letter, “they can make it.”
