Derry man sentenced to long probation term for sexual assaults

A Derry Township man will serve 21 years on probation after he was sentenced Friday for sexual assaults against three children and an adult.

John M. Coiner, 60, pleaded guilty in February to multiple felony counts of indecent assault and misdemeanor offenses of indecent exposure. Coiner is accused of having improper sexual contact in 2019 with children ages 4, 8 and 9. He was also accused by an adult woman who claimed she awoke to find Coiner improperly touching her and exposing himself.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani ordered Coiner to serve consecutive probation sentences totaling 21 years of supervision, including an 18-month period of house arrest. Coiner will have a lifetime requirement to register with the state police as a convicted sex offender.

In a lengthy statement, Coiner told the judge that since his arrest he has undergone counseling and voluntarily imposed strict restrictions on his behavior to avoid a repeat of the activity that resulted in his being charged. He said his alcoholism led to the improper behavior.

“The picture painted does not reflect my past character. I am not a criminal,” Coiner said. “It is surreal I am here.”

Defense attorney Michael DeMatt described Coiner as a man who has taken steps to make amends and be accountable for his actions.

“I would be absolutely shocked if anything like this ever happened again,” DeMatt said in asking for a probation sentence for Coiner.

Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar asked that Coiner serve time in jail.

Lazar conceded Coiner’s accusers have not pushed for a sentence that includes incarceration, but said one is warranted because of future impact his actions have on the young victims.

“It doesn’t end here, but there has to be a sanction that is more than what is self-imposed here,” Lazar said. “Alcohol (addiction) doesn’t cause someone to improperly touch children. If he took care of the problem, these girls would not be victimized.”