 
|
|||||||||
              
|
Scoutmaster who abused boys to be released
Wednesday, August 15, 2001 By Ernie Hoffman, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
A former Boy Scout leader who put three young boys through a night of naked bondage while on a camping trip will be out of prison in about two weeks despite the objections of a Westmoreland County prosecutor.
Common Pleas Judge William J. Ober refused yesterday to lengthen the two-year sentence he imposed on John T. Levendosky and ordered the one-time assistant scoutmaster paroled.
"I think he continues to pose a danger to the community," Assistant District Attorney Patricia Elliott said. "All I can do now is hope no one gets hurt."
But defense attorney Ryan Kammerer said the sentence was fair and that he was not surprised by Ober's refusal to change it.
Levendosky, of Derry Borough, had the boys who, were 12 and 13, strip and spank each other before he used a knife to carve a "T" in each youth's chest while they were camping overnight in Fairfield on June 9, 2000. He was arrested and placed in the county prison four days later.
Ober sentenced Levendosky on April 24 after he pleaded guilty to 18 charges. Besides prison, he was ordered to spend six months on electronic house arrest, followed by 15 years of probation.
Levendosky, 53, also must undergo relapse prevention treatment as recommended by a psychologist. He cannot be released from custody until it is determined that he is not likely to repeat the offenses.
Elliott criticized the original sentence and asked Ober to reconsider.
At a hearing on July 30, she told Ober there was evidence that Levendosky had abused other boys during the more than 20 years that he was a scout leader.
Carol A. Hughes, a psychologist, testified that the ousted scoutmaster was a predator and a possible pedophile, something that had not come out during the original sentencing hearing.
Levendosky never removed his clothing and no overt sexual activity occurred when he camped out with the boys.
|
||||||||
