Lebanon man sentenced to 175 years for child rape

Defense attorney argued mandatory sentences under Jessica's Law are "very harsh" and "disproportionate"

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A Lebanon, Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 175 years in prison for a decade of sex crimes against a young girl. The defense attorney argued that the mandatory 25-year sentences for convictions under Jessica's Law are overly harsh and disproportionate.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around mandatory minimum sentences for serious sex crimes against minors, with critics arguing they are excessively punitive while proponents say they are necessary to protect vulnerable children.

The details

The defendant was convicted of a series of sexual assaults against a young girl over a 10-year period. The defense attorney argued that the mandatory 25-year sentences for each conviction under Jessica's Law, a statute that imposes strict penalties for child sex crimes, resulted in an overly harsh total sentence that was disproportionate to the crimes.

  • The defendant was sentenced on February 16, 2026.

The players

Lebanon man

The defendant convicted of a decade of sex crimes against a young girl.

Defense attorney

The lawyer who argued the mandatory sentences were too harsh and disproportionate.

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What they’re saying

“The 25-year mandatory sentences for convictions under Jessica's Law are very harsh and disproportionate.”

— Defense attorney (gazettetimes.com)

The takeaway

This case reignites the debate over mandatory minimum sentences for serious sex crimes against children, with critics arguing they are excessively punitive while supporters say they are necessary to protect the vulnerable.