A Columbia man convicted of rape and six other charges was sentenced to 7-15 years in prison on January 4 in Lancaster County Court.

Denzel Saladeen Nichols, 26 of Stonehouse Lane, was found guilty by jury in June of 2021 for raping a 14-year-old victim in 2017 on the 400 block of Estelle Drive in Lancaster city.

The incident was reported in March 2020 and charges were filed in October 2020.

Nichols picked up the victim and two other minors and the group went to Mountville Park, where they smoked marijuana and drank alcohol supplied by him.

Nichols then assaulted the victim as he drove the group to the residence on Estelle Drive and raped the victim in a bedroom. Nichols told one member of the group not to let the other in while the rape occurred.

Nichols admitted to having sex with the victim through text and calls when the victim, who did not remember the incident, asked what happened that night. Police obtained these text message records and recordings of the calls.

Assistant District Attorney Amy Muller prosecuted the case and mentioned that Nichols maxed out his state prison sentence for his last crime and declined to complete sexual offender treatment. Muller also stated he contacted the victim almost immediately after being released from prison.

“He needs to remain in jail in order to ensure the safety of the community,” Muller said.

Lancaster County Judge Thomas Sponaugle ordered sentence, mentioning Nichols has prior sex victims for reasoning in his judgment.

East Hempfield Township Police Department Detective David Bender filed charges.

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