by peter e. bortner
William J. Schilbe is a sexually violent predator, a Schuylkill County judge ruled Wednesday before sending him to state prison for at least five years.
"There are at least 1,000 pictures that were found to be in his possession," Judge John E. Domalakes said while explaining why he decided Schilbe, 55, of Pinebrook, is a sexually violent predator and thereby subject to lifetime Megan's Law sanctions.
Domalakes then sentenced Schilbe to spend five to 10 years in a state correctional institution, pay costs, $1,025 in fines, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, forfeit his computer, undergo sex offender counseling and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Schilbe pleaded guilty on July 25 to sexual abuse of children-child pornography in one case, driving under the influence and disregarding traffic lane in a second case, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in a third case.
At that time, prosecutors withdrew charges against Schilbe of simple assault, indecent assault and harassment in a fourth case.
Domalakes accepted the testimony of Pottsville psychologist Joseph B. Sheris, who said Schilbe's behavior fit the characteristics of a sexually violent predator.
"There's a strong sexual interest in children," Sheris said. "He is willing to take advantage of others for his own self-gratification. He has pedophilia."
Furthermore, Sheris said, there have been child abuse complaints about Schilbe in the past, although none resulted in any criminal convictions, and the defendant has a history of illegal drug use.
"He does meet the criteria for abnormality," Sheris said.
Schilbe did not testify during Wednesday's hearing.
State police at Schuylkill Haven filed all charges against Schilbe.
In the first case, they alleged that he had the child pornography on his home computer between Feb. 11, 2010, and Nov. 4, 2011.
Police said they found and removed nine multimedia devices, which state police at Reading later analyzed, during a search of Schilbe's home. The thumb drive and laptop computer contained approximately 1,000 pictures of children engaging in or simulating prohibited sexual acts, according to police.
In the second case, police alleged that Schilbe was DUI in a 2003 Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicle at 10:50 p.m. Sept. 22, 2011, on Grist Mill Road at Woodbridge Road in West Brunswick Township.
In the third case, they alleged that he possessed marijuana, heroin, a scale, a bong, pipes and syringes between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Nov. 9, 2011, at his residence.
The Megan's Law sanctions to which Schilbe will be subject include requirements that he report his address, employment and educational statuses, and any change in them, to state police for the rest of his life after he leaves prison. Any failure to comply with those sanctions is a crime in itself and could result in further prosecution.
Megan's Law was enacted in Pennsylvania, numerous other states and at the federal level following the 1994 murder of Megan Nicole Kanka, 7, of Hamilton Township, Mercer County, N.J. Jesse Timmendequas, Kanka's killer, was a convicted sex offender and one of the girl's neighbors.
He is serving a life sentence following then-New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine's commutation of his death sentence after that state abolished its death penalty.Defendant: William J. Schilbe
Age: 55
Residence: Pinebrook
Crimes committed: Sexual abuse of children-child pornography, driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lane, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia
Prison sentence: Five to 10 years in a state correctional institution, plus lifetime Megan's Law sanctions