Mt. Pleasant man admits to abusing girl for five years

A Mt. Pleasant man pleaded guilty yesterday to charges that he had sexual contact for more than five years with a girl who is now 17.

Just seven weeks after Eugene Koontz, 44, checked himself into the Excela Health Frick Hospital on Christmas Eve for anxiety pains, he went to a Westmoreland County courtroom and admitted to the ongoing molestation of the girl since she was 12 years old, authorities said.

While at the hospital, Koontz told doctors and police that he was having sexual relations with the girl, and criminal charges were filed two days later, authorities said.

"He never had a criminal record before," said Jackie Knupp, an assistant district attorney.

Koontz yesterday pleaded guilty to felony charges of rape of a child, aggravated indecent assault and other related offenses. As part of a negotiated plea bargain, Koontz will be sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison.

Westmoreland County Judge Debra A. Pezze will impose the sentence later this year. Koontz could have been sentenced to as many as 40 years in prison without the deal, Pezze said.

Before he is sentenced, Koontz must first undergo an evaluation to determine if he is a violent sexual predator under the state's version of Megan's Law.

Such a designation would require that Koontz, once he is released from prison, register his whereabouts with police for the rest of his life.