An Ephrata man will serve up to 12 years in state prison for years of sex abuse of two girls.

Warren Keperling, 37, pleaded guilty Monday in Lancaster County Court to felony and misdemeanor sex crimes regarding abuse of the girls, which began in 2008.

In exchange for the guilty pleas, Keperling will serve 6 to 12 years in state prison, to be followed by 6 years of probation.

County Judge James Cullen accepted the plea agreement and ordered sentence.

Keperling must register his whereabouts under Megan’s Law for the rest of his life, according to Assistant District Attorney Christopher Sarno, who prosecuted the case. Keperling also must comply with conditions, including no unsupervised contact with children and staying away from playgrounds, schools, etc.

A hearing on whether Keperling is classified as a “sexually violent predator” will be held in a couple months, after a psychologist completes an evaluation.

Keperling forced the girls to sex acts at his homes in Elizabethtown, Manor Township and the Ephrata area, beginning in 2008 when one girl was a pre-teen. Keperling was an acquaintance of the victims’ families.

The sentence is within state guidelines, according to Sarno.

Elizabethtown, Manor Township and Northern Lancaster County Regional police filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us