A New York man was sentenced to prison for groping a woman last year at Root’s Country Market.

Zhong Wu Shan was escorted from Lancaster County Court in handcuffs Wednesday when he was sentenced to one to 23 months in prison for misdemeanor indecent assault.

Wu Shan, 38, was a stand holder at Root’s, selling purses and wallets, when he groped a female customer on July 31, 2018.

The woman, a life-long county resident who shops at Root’s often, said in court Wednesday that she should not have to feel on guard in broad daylight in her hometown.

Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick, who won the trial conviction in May, asked the judge to order a prison term and send a message that Shan’s behavior will not be tolerated in the community.

ADA Haverstick said it is unacceptable that a woman cannot walk in a public space without fear that she will be violated.

ADA Haverstick also pointed out that Shan continues to take no responsibility for what he did.

Shan first made comments about the woman’s appearance and asked if she had a boyfriend. When the woman asked for a price of a wallet, Shan hugged the woman, put his hand into her dress and said, “If you let me do this, you can have it for free.”

Shan testified at trial that he only touched her shoulder.

Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn Jr. said he had no doubt the woman was assaulted and that there is no justification for what Shan did. Judge Spahn ordered Shan to register his whereabouts with police, under Megan’s Law, for 15 years.

East Hempfield Township police officer Ethan Etter filed charges. When he first talked to Shan about what happened – demonstrating what the woman reported took place - Shan said, “That’s the deal.”

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