Unity man convicted of child rape, sexual assaults

A Unity man was convicted Tuesday of the rape of one child and sexual assault of another.

Following a four-day trial, a Westmoreland County jury found Steven M. Cope Jr. guilty of 10 counts including rape of a child and multiple charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and other offenses.

Prosecutors said Cope, 26, molested and raped a 10-year-old boy and another child, age 5, in May 2018.

Jurors deliberated just more than an hour on Tuesday before reaching the verdict.

Assistant District Attorney Judi Petrush in her closing argument to the jury described Cope as a serial child molester. Cope, prosecutors said, attempted to trade cigarettes and money for sex with his older victim.

Petrush said a third accuser, another 5-year-old boy, claimed he was fondled by Cope. Petrush said that although no charges were filed based on those allegations, it was evidence the jury could consider as part of a determination that Cope targeted young boys to molest.

“The defendant exploited their youth and innocence as part of these crimes,” Petrush told jurors.

Cope did not testify and the defense presented no witnesses during the trial.

Assistant Public Defender James Spreistersbach argued Cope’s accusers were not credible witnesses and were coached by a parent to manufacture a false story of sexual abuse.

“No assaults of any type took place,” Spreistersbach said.

He told jurors a three-year gap from when the children first claimed they were assaulted to the filing of criminal charges was evidence to support an acquittal.

Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger ordered Cope to remain in jail pending a sentencing hearing later this year.