A Westmoreland County judge sentenced a Youngwood man to 8-1/2 to 17 years in a state prison Tuesday for sexually assaulting two teenage girls in 2016.

Darell Deisean Walker, 23, was ordered to spend an additional five years on probation following the prison term.

“Your conduct and the testimony … demonstrated that you were seeking out these children who were underage,” Judge Christopher Feliciani said. “It did strike the court as predatory in nature.”

Walker was convicted in April of multiple counts of sexual assault and related offenses in connection with assaults on the two girls, a 13-year-old runaway and a 14-year-old girl he met through social media. Jurors found him not guilty of rape and other allegations related to sex with a 16-year-old girl.

As a result of the conviction, he is required to register as a Megan’s Law sex offender for the rest of his life. He is undergoing an evaluation to determine if he is a sexually violent predator, prosecutors said.

Walker was first arrested in connection with sex crimes involving the runaway. He wrote a confession while in jail about sexual contact with two other teen girls, according to trial testimony. That letter was given to police by Walker’s cellmate. He was given credit for time served since October 2016.

Assistant District Attorney Judy Petrush called Walker a “predator and danger.”

“These girls, … his actions, his engaging in sexual intercourse with them could’ve changed their lives forever if they would’ve become pregnant,” she said. “The defendant had absolutely no regard for them.”

Defense attorney Tim Dawson said his client “has acknowledged responsibility for his actions.” Dawson asked Feliciani to consider Walker’s age and tough childhood.

“This young man was working at the time, he had very little prior record … he was from a broken home,” Dawson said. “He was on his way to being a productive member of society until he made a foolish mistake.”

Walker apologized and asked for forgiveness. The accusers were not present in court.

“… No matter what I say or what I do can’t make up for the actions, for what I did,” he said. “I truly am sorry.”

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