North Huntingdon man pleads guilty to rape of child

A North Huntingdon man faces up to 50 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the rape of a child.

John Wilbanks, 41, pleaded guilty this week to 48 charges in two cases in connection with events police said occurred over a six-year-period that started in 2013 with a then 8-year-old girl. In addition to three rape counts, Wilbanks pleaded guilty to multiple charges of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault with a minor, possession of child pornography criminal use of a communications device and other related offenses.

Westmoreland County Assistant District Attorney Theresa Miller-Sporrer said prosecutors will recommend Wilbanks receive sentences that require he serve 25 to 50 years in prison.

Wilbanks pleaded guilty without a deal for a specific sentence and his penalty will be decided in about three months by Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio.

“The plea offer extended to you is based on mandatory minimums and some consecutive time. The defendant will be allowed to ask for something less than that. I am not going to commit to anything but I will give you consideration because you accepted responsibility and the victim won’t have to testify,” Bilik-DeFazio said.

Wilbanks’ now former wife, Kelley Jo Wilbanks, 42, is awaiting trial on related charges of obstruction of justice, child endangerment and hindering prosecution. Police said Kelley Jo Wilbanks discussed a plan with her then husband to prevent the victim from testifying in the case and knew about the rape allegations from the child before they were reported to police.

She has been free on a $75,000 bond since December 2019 and her trial is scheduled to begin July 18, according to court dockets.