LANCASTER, PA — A Strasburg man was convicted by a jury Thursday of rape of a child and 21 other charges regarding sex offenses occurring around 2018.
Derrick Santryal Myers, 34 of the 200 block of W. Main Street, was found guilty by a jury of rape by forcible compulsion, two counts of statutory sexual assault (11 years older), involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (IDSI) with a person less than 16, unlawful contact with a minor, rape of a child, two counts of IDSI with a child under 13, aggravated indecent assault of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, indecent assault of a person less than 16, simple assault, false imprisonment, criminal trespassing, stalking, intimidating a witness, and terroristic threats.
The jury deliberated for 35 minutes before concluding a four-day trial before Lancaster County President Judge David Ashworth.
Assistant District Attorney Amy Muller prosecuted the case and began her closing arguments with direct quotes from the victim, who brought forward the abuse in 2022 and testified at trial.
“Why would a 14-year-old child know those things?” Muller asked the jury before commending the victim’s strength for testifying in a room full of strangers. “The [victim’s] word alone here is enough to convict the defendant. Follow the evidence, follow the facts, and tell that little girl you heard her.”
Muller presented oil/lubricant bottles used in the sexual assaults and a condom that contained the defendant and victim’s DNA on it as evidence. Testimony was presented from forensic interviewers with the Lancaster County Children’s Alliance and an expert in child sexual assaults.
Defense counsel argued the Children’s Alliance witnesses weren’t neutral and that the disclosure from the witness was forced by a third party.
Muller responded that the argument doesn’t explain the DNA evidence.
“This is an adult person who used his position of power to terrorize,” Muller said.
President Judge Ashworth ordered a presentence investigation and sexually violent predator determination before sentencing at a later date. Bail was raised from $500,000 to $1 million monetary.
Myers was remanded to Lancaster County Prison awaiting sentencing.
Strasburg Police Officer Brandon Remington filed charges, testified, and attended the entirety of the trial. Strasburg Police Officer Matthew Neidinger and West Lampeter Police Officer Evan Shubrooks assisted in the investigation.
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