A Lititz man was recently convicted in Lancaster County Court of sexually assaulting two minor victims between 2008 and 2011.

Shane Ernest Richardson, 55 of the 900 block of Fruitville Pike, was found guilty by jury of aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with minor, and indecent assault of a person less than 16 following a four-day trial in front of Lancaster County Judge David Ashworth.

The jury deliberated about four hours before returning its verdict on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

In January of 2021, the victims reported to Manheim Township Police Department Officer Troy Hikins they had been assaulted by Richardson while residing at his residence after their parents divorced and lost their home. Richardson was a family friend.

The victims were between 13-17 years old when the abuse occurred; the defendant was between 42-44.

Assistant District Attorney Amy Muller prosecuted the case and stated, “This defendant gained the trust of a family by taking [the victims] in and then violated that trust by sexually abusing them.”

Muller went on to tell the jury that it didn’t need any additional evidence – if it believed the victims, the defendant was guilty.

Manheim Township Police Department Detective Scott Dierwechter filed charges.

YWCA Lancaster runs a 24-hour sexual assault hotline, 717-392-7273, that connects callers to free, confidential counseling and therapy services for community members impacted by sexual abuse, harassment, or assault.

Lancaster County's designated rape crisis center at the YWCA Lancaster provides no cost counseling and therapy for survivors and significant others impacted by sexual abuse, harassment, or assault. Contact 717-869-5009 or wehearyou@ywcalancaster.org for more information or to schedule an appointment.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.