Conviction ends molestation trial of Butler doctor
Three years after authorities accused a once-prominent Butler County doctor of molesting children as a Boy Scout leader, his conviction still brought shock to those who knew him.
"If you can't trust someone of that stature, who can you trust?" said Chris McGee, 42, of Butler.
Dr. David Evanko, 58, now of Leola in Lancaster County, sat quietly as Erie County Senior Common Pleas Judge Fred P. Anthony pronounced him guilty of one count each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and statutory rape. Two brothers said Evanko assaulted them between 1989 and 1995, although the charges involved only one brother because too much time had passed before charges were filed.
Evanko's conviction stunned one of his former patients.
"I would have never taken him for that kind of a person," said Betty Adams, 44, of Butler, who said she changed doctors about three years before state police charged Evanko in 2009 but could not remember why she did so. "Oh, my goodness, I'm just shocked. He was always pretty quiet and professional to me."
Evanko did not comment after the verdict.
"We're very disappointed with the verdict, and now we're going to prepare for sentencing," said his defense attorney, Stanton Levenson.
Evanko was well known in Butler County. He practiced at Butler Memorial Hospital since 1984, and he had an office in Chicora with the Butler Medical Associates, specializing in family medicine, geriatrics and addiction medicine. Hospital and practice officials declined to comment.
Evanko was the director of the child intervention team at Butler Memorial Hospital for suspected child abuse, according to a past biography, and provided medical services for Summit Academy, a residential program for juvenile offenders.
He also was a past leader of Boy Scout Troop 10 in Butler, which no longer exists, according to the Boy Scouts of America Moraine Trails Council.
Executive Ray Tennent of Moraine Trails Council, which covers Butler County, said in a statement: "The abuse of anyone, especially a child, is intolerable, and our thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who may be a victim of this type of behavior. This behavior runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands. Upon learning of these allegations, (Evanko) was immediately removed from Scouting."
Tennent added that "Scouting seeks to prevent child abuse through a comprehensive program of education, chartered organization leader selection procedures, criminal background and other checks, barriers to abuse and prompt mandatory reporting."
The brothers, now 32 and 35, declined to comment. The Tribune-Review does not identify accusers in sexual abuse cases.
They will face Evanko again during a May 22 sentencing, during which Evanko will be sentenced to at least five years in prison, with a possible maximum of 30 years.
The Pennsylvania Department of State would not confirm whether it is considering revoking Evanko's medical license, but said his conviction could lead its medical board to look into "taking action against him," spokesman Matthew Keeler said.
Evanko's license remained active yesterday, according to the department website.
A jury in 2010 convicted Evanko of charges he molested two Summit Academy students, but a judge threw out the conviction. The state Superior Court in January ordered a new trial, but Levenson said the case should be dismissed. A spokesman for Summit Academy declined to comment.
