LANCASTER, PA — In a landmark case for Lancaster County, George Pfeiffer, 64, of New Providence, was found guilty Friday of sexually abusing three minors over a span of more than two decades. The verdict, delivered by a jury after a three-day trial and roughly ninety minutes of deliberation, marks a significant moment of reckoning in one of the county’s oldest and most grievous sex offense cases.
Pfeiffer faced 30 charges relating to sexual abuse, including 15 first-degree felonies, indicating the severity of his actions. His offenses encompassed a harrowing range of criminal activities, from rape to aggravated indecent assault, with victims suffering under his predation from as early as 1995 through 2021.
The prosecution, led by Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick, highlighted the protracted period of abuse endured by the victims, who were merely children when the abuse began. The case sheds light not only on the egregious acts committed by Pfeiffer but also on the profound courage of the victims, who, after years of silence, came forward to reveal their experiences.
The initial instances of abuse occurred between 1995 and 2002, with Pfeiffer targeting two minors in Manor Township. He began abusing the first victim at approximately 15 years of age, continuing until they were 21, and commenced his abuse of the second victim when they were around 11, persisting until they turned 17. A third victim, abused starting at the tender age of 7, bravely disclosed her ordeal in 2021 when she was 14, prompting the first two victims to come forward with their own disclosures.
This case highlights the devastating impact of sexual abuse on its victims and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, no matter how much time has elapsed. The victims, who had nearly resigned themselves to silence, fearing that justice would never be served, have finally seen their abuser convicted.
Detective Colleen Tatara of the Manor Township Police and Trooper Brian McNally of the Pennsylvania State Police were instrumental in bringing this case to trial, testifying about the charges filed against Pfeiffer. He now awaits sentencing in Lancaster County Prison.
The resolution of this case not only provides a measure of closure for the victims but also represents a significant achievement for the legal system in Lancaster County, demonstrating its commitment to seeking justice for crimes that have long remained in the shadows.
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