Former School District of Lancaster music teacher, Timothy M. Sterner, will serve a minimum of 11 ½ months in prison for illegal conduct with a student over a three-year period. 

Sterner, age 54, recently admitted in Lancaster County Court to the criminal conduct which included requesting sexual contact, exposing himself, performing lewd acts as well as sending lewd and pornographic images to the victim.   The behavior occurred between the victim’s freshman and senior year.  Sterner plead guilty to five felonies and two misdemeanors including unlawful contact with a minor, solicitation of institutional sexual assault, dissemination of child pornography, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of a child. 

Sterner, through his attorney, submitted dozens of character references describing the positive impact he had as a teacher.  Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick responded that the facts of this case “illustrate how these crimes are done in secret by individuals who hold themselves out to the community as respectful, ethical and moral people.”  Haverstick concluded that ultimately, Sterner was someone who used and groomed a child, and student, for his own personal gratification for years. 

In imposing sentence, Judge Dennis Reinaker recognized Sterner’s positive impact on many, but stated that he had to balance that with some of the most “insidious” grooming conduct that he has seen since being on the bench.

Sterner received a total aggregate sentence of 11 ½ to 23 months in the Lancaster County Prison, followed by six years of probationary supervision.  Sterner is also required to register on the Megan’s Law website for a period of 25 years.

Detective Gareth Lowe of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police filed the charges.     

Office of the District Attorney of Lancaster County

Heather L. Adams, District Attorney