VERDICT: Luzerne County Jury Convicts Man of Sexually Assaulting 11-Year-Old Victim

November 14, 2025 | Topic: Criminal

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a Luzerne County jury has convicted a man of raping an 11-year-old victim in 2019.

Elias Dominguez, 36, of Hazleton, was found guilty Thursday afternoon of rape of child, corruption of minors, and two counts of indecent assault after a three-day trial. The sentencing is scheduled for April 2.

This case was referred to the Office of Attorney General by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.

“This defendant betrayed the trust of his victim, and this verdict makes it clear that if you abuse a child in Pennsylvania, you will be held accountable,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This case was made possible when a brave student did the right thing and informed a teacher of the abuse of their classmate and of course by the strength of the victim. Protecting Pennsylvania’s children is the solemn duty of all of us.”

According to evidence presented by the Office of Attorney General, the 11-year-old victim told a classmate about the sexual assault committed by her mother’s boyfriend. The classmate informed a teacher, who reported it to Childline. The victim then made an initial partial disclosure about the assault but made a full disclosure two years later when the victim was ready to talk about the full extent of the abuse.

This case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Jaime Keating.

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