A Pennsylvania man, Alex M. Soderback, has been sentenced to 11 to 22 years in prison for child rape. The 26-year-old admitted to being a sexual aggressor in the case. The charges against him include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a victim under 13 and rape of a child.
The sentencing was carried out by Common Pleas Judge Charissa J. Liller on Thursday, September 14. In addition to the prison term, Soderback has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and receive sex offender treatment. Furthermore, he is prohibited from having any contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 18.
The investigation into this case began in August 2022 after the victim, who was 9 years old at the time, and his mother reported the abuse to the Richland police. According to the police, Soderback raped the victim multiple times at his own residence when the victim was between the ages of 5 and 7.
Initially, Soderback claimed in an interview with the detective that the child had been the aggressor and initiated the sexual advances. However, during the sentencing, he confessed to being the sexual aggressor and admitted to sexually assaulting the child for his own gratification.
As part of his sentencing, Soderback will be required to register as a sex offender and will be under Megan’s Law supervision for the rest of his life. Megan’s Law is a set of statutes that require sex offenders to register their whereabouts with the authorities and to provide notification to the community when they move into a new area.
This case highlights the importance of reporting child abuse and ensuring that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are held accountable for their actions. The sentencing serves as a reminder that justice will be served, even in cases involving vulnerable victims. The victim and their family can now be assured that Soderback will face the consequences of his actions, while also receiving the necessary help to heal from the trauma.
It is crucial for society to continue raising awareness about the importance of protecting children from abuse and providing support to victims. By doing so, we can foster a safer environment for children and work towards preventing such atrocities from occurring in the future.
