by peter e. bortner
A Pottsville man could spend decades behind state prison bars after being convicted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court of sexually assaulting a boy over the course of several years.
Kevin Jones, 49, did not react when the jury of nine men and three women pronounced him guilty of eight charges, including two counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault and one each of corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children.
President Judge William E. Baldwin, who presided over the defendant's one-day trial, did not immediately schedule sentencing, instead ordering preparation of a presentence investigation and a report from the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board on Jones, who faces a mandatory minimum state prison sentence of 10 years and lifetime Megan's Law sanctions.
While Baldwin continued Jones' $100,000 straight cash bail, the defendant could not post it, and he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.
Pottsville police charged Jones with sexually assaulting the boy over a period of about six years in the city.
"It started when he was between 10 and 11 years old and went on till he was 16," Assistant District Attorney Jennifer N. Lehman said.
The boy testified that the assaults occurred several times at Jones' residence.
"I'd be laying on my stomach," he said slowly and hesitantly in a voice so soft it could hardly be heard in the courtroom.
"Did it hurt?" Lehman asked him.
"Yes," he said.
He said he sometimes tried to refuse but eventually did what Jones asked him to do.
"I never told anybody," including teachers, friends or guidance counselors, he said. "I was just afraid."
The boy also said Jones sometimes drank alcohol before committing the sexual acts with him.
Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson, Jones' lawyer, declined to comment on the case after the verdict.
On the other hand, Lehman was delighted with the result.
"We're very happy with the jury's verdict," she said.Defendant: Kevin Jones
Age: 49
Residence: Pottsville
Crimes committed: Eight, including two counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault and one each of corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children.