HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that David Balosa will serve two to four years in prison for using his standing as a member of a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation in Philadelphia to befriend, then sexually assault, a young child in 1998.
A Philadelphia County Jury previously found Balosa guilty of two felony counts of aggravated indecent assault and related misdemeanors. Along with his prison sentence, Balosa will be required to serve six years of probation and will be a life long registrant on SORNA.
The victim spoke at the sentencing and bravely recounted the effects Balosa’s actions had on her life.
“For many years, this survivor lived without a sense of justice or closure for crimes that they endured as a child — and without their bravery, this conviction would not have been possible,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I also commend the Grand Jurors and trial jurors who gave their time and attention to determining the facts in this very important matter.”
Balosa is one of more than a dozen members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith across the Commonwealth to be charged by the Office of Attorney General, following Statewide Investigating Grand Jury investigations into sexual abuse by members of various congregations of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Zachary Wynkoop.
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