HARRISBURG, Pa. — A former psychologist from the State College area has been sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison for the repeated rape and sexual assault of a young girl over an eight-year period, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced.
Richard Lenhart, 63, of Bellefonte, was convicted by a Centre County jury in August on multiple charges, including rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, and corruption of minors. The abuse spanned from 2005 to 2013.
The investigation revealed that Lenhart, previously convicted of insurance fraud and unrelated sexual assaults of patients in his psychology practice, used his position of trust to groom and exploit the victim, who testified against him in court. The assaults occurred in the State College area, beginning when the victim was a child.
“Thanks to the bravery of this victim to come forward and face her abuser, the defendant will spend years in prison for sexually assaulting her,” Attorney General Henry said. “The defendant abused his position of trust to groom and abuse the victim from a young age.”