A Wayne County Jury convicted James Kevin Strackbein, age 47, of two counts of Indecent Assault of a Child Under The Age of 13. Strackbein will be sentenced on January 7, 2010. He will also be evaluated by the Pennsylvania Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine whether he meets the criteria of a sexually violent predator.
The abuse occurred in Lake Township when the female victim was 8 and 9 years of age. The defendant was acting as a baby sitter. The victim is currently 18 years old. The Honorable Raymond L. Hamill presided at trial. First Assistant District Attorney Patrick L. Robinson prosecuted the case.
Strackbein is currently serving a sentence of 15 months to 36 months in a State Correctional Institution for Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI, as a result of a December 10, 2007 crash.
Robinson stated that: “This was a difficult case because the evidence against the defendant consisted solely of the victim’s testimony. However, the jury was able to weigh her testimony against the defendant’s and conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did in fact molest the victim. “
Honesdale, Pa. —
