A Mountville man and former caretaker has been charged with sexually assaulting 10 additional victims residing at Faith Friendship Villa in West Hempfield Township. 

Faith Friendship Villa is a non-profit personal care home for individuals with mental illness and other disabilities.

James L. Zook, 68 of the 100 block of Rockford Square, was originally arrested and charged Nov. 7, 2022, with one count each of institutional sexual assault and indecent assault.  That complaint alleged Zook sexually assaulted a Faith Friendship Villa resident weekly or biweekly beginning in late 2020 or early 2021 and ending in August 2022.  After further investigation, additional charges were filed Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Miles Bixler based on other victims coming forward alleging abuse.

The additional charges, separated by docket, include:

• Four counts of institutional sexual assault, seven counts of indecent assault, one count of disorderly conduct.
• Two counts of institutional sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault.
• Three counts of institutional sexual assault and three counts of indecent assault.
• One count of institutional sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
• One count of institutional sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
• 10 counts of institutional sexual assault and 10 counts of indecent assault.
• One count of institutional sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
• One count of institutional sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
• One count of institutional sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
• 304 counts of institutional sexual assault and 305 counts of indecent assault.

In total, Zook is charged with 329 counts of institutional sexual assault, 333 counts of indecent assault, and one count of disorderly conduct.

West Hempfield Township Police received the first report of sexual abuse on August 14, 2022.  After the initial arrest, 10 additional victims came forward to report abuse by Zook.      

All victims participated in interviews with the Lancaster County Children’s Alliance Center and revealed sexual abuse spanning from 2007 until 2022. Zook had been employed at Faith Friendship Villa for approximately 20 years. 

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

West Hempfield Township Police Captain George Brace filed charges which were approved by Assistant District Attorney Amy Muller.

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